Female Flower Appearance Research Articles

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) under Prayagraj Agro-climatic Conditions

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) under Prayagraj agroclimatic conditions at Horticultural Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini agricultural institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (UP) during 2021 kharif season. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments replicated thrice with organic manures (FYM, vermicompost, poultry manure) and Inorganic fertilizers (NPK). The results of the experiment revealed that the treatment T8 (50% RDN through chemical fertilizers + 50% through vermicompost) was found to be best treatment combination in terms of vine length (312.44 cm), days to first female flower appearance (40 ), node to which first female flower appearance (19), days taken to first harvest (56), average fruit weight (107.35 g), average fruit length (15.72 cm), number of fruits per plant (20), average fruit yield per plant (2.16 kg), average fruit yield per hectare (17.96 t/ha), TSS (4.33ºBrix). Significantly the highest gross return (Rs. 305320/ha), net returns (Rs. 207903/ha) and B: C ratio (3.1) were also recorded under the treatment T8(50% RDN through chemical fertilizers + 50% through vermicompost) while average fruit diameter (7.84 cm) was observed in the treatment T2 (100:50:50 NPK +10 tonnes vermicompost).

Evaluation of Different Genotypes of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica M. Roem.) for Growth Yield and Fruit Quality in Prayagraj Agro-climatic Conditions

An experiment was conducted to find out the best suitable genotypes of Sponge gourd in Prayagraj Agro-climatic conditions in the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj (U.P.), during Zaid season of the year 2021. 22 genotypes including one check genotypes which are procured from Indian Institute of Vegetable Research center(IIVR),are evaluated and the experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The observations were recorded on growth, yield and Fruit quality. The results revealed that among all the IET/2020 SPGVAR-7 and AVT I/2019 SPGVAR-3 performed well in earliness parameters viz. Days to germination (6.69days),Days to first male flowering (51.533days), appearance of first male flower on node(3.6) and appearance of first female flower on node (7.81). In terms of vine Length maximum was recorded in AVT I/2019 SPGVAR 4 (4.9m). Fruit length was maximum in IET 2020 SPGVAR 3(25.7cm), Fruit Diameter was maximum in AVT I/2019 SPGVAR-5 (3.24cm). Weight of 5 fruits was maximum in IET/2020 SPGVAR-6 (129.4 grams). And among all the genotypes IET/2020 SPGVAR-4 performed will in yield parameters viz. Yield per plant (1.48kg) and yield per hectare (66.88 Quintals/hac).

Effect of spacing and micronutrients on yield of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) grown under protected structures

Proper plant spacing and foliar application of micronutrients is necessary for higher yield and quality. Theexperiment was conducted to determine the effect of spacing and micronutrients on fruit yield of bitter gourdgrown under protected structures (nethouse and polyhouse). The variety Pusa Rasdar (27.06 days) showed superiorperformance over Selection 32 (30.03 days) for opening of first female flower under net house. The wider spacing(30 cm × 50 cm) enhanced early female flower (28.29 days) compared to closer spacing (under nethouse). The PusaRasdar was superior for node number of first female flower (11.25 nodes) followed by Selection 32 (13.28 nodes)(under nethouse). The wider spacing (30 cm × 50 cm) had a significant effect on first node of female flower appearance(12.37 and 11.87 nodes) under polyhouse and net house. The maximum fruit weight was in Pusa Rasdar (206.89g) (under nethouse). The application of boron @0.2% and calcium @0.6% enhanced the number of fruits per plant(11.00 and 10.80) (under net house). The wider spacing (30 cm × 50 cm) also produced the highest number of fruitsper plant (11.37) in Pusa Rasdar (under net house) condition. The maximum fruit yield per plant was recorded in PusaRasdar (2122.70 g) compared to Selection 32 (1646.61 g) (under net house). The wider spacing (30 cm × 50 cm) alsoproduced maximum fruit yield (2137.25 g) in Pusa Rasdar (under net house). Therefore, higher yield of bitter gourdcould be obtained under net house with broader spacing (30 cm × 50 cm) along with proper doses of micronutrients(0.2% boron and 0.6% calcium).

Assessment of combining ability of watermelon germplasm derived from diverse geographic origin for yield and quality traits

A study was conducted to assess the combining ability of diverse genotypes of watermelon in a line x tester mating design at the Vegetable research farm, Department of Vegetable Science, PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. The 40 F1 hybrids, 10 lines, 4 testers were evaluated in Feb-May, 2019 for yield and component traits. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability among all the genotypes for all the traits. The combining ability analysis revealed that general combining ability effects and specific combining ability effects were significant for all the traits. The ratio of ?2SCA/ ?2GCA indicated the predominance of non-additive gene effects for internode length, days to appearance of 1st female flower, fruit length, fruit width, yield/ plant, number of fruits/ plant, average fruit weight, vine length, TSS and vitamin C. Among the parents, lines WM-10, yellow-2 and Barmer; and tester KFF 1-1-2 were good general combiner for fruit yield and component traits. Among the hybrids, W-6-3-3-3-2 ? KFF 1-1-2, WM-20 ? KFF 1-1-2 and Yellow-2 ? KFF 1-1-2 were good specific combiners for higher TSS content and good yield.

Study on correlation and path analysis of F2 population of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

An investigation was conducted to study the correlation and path analysis in 150 F2 population of cross Dharwad x Belgaum Local in cucumber along with parents and check during Kharif, 2019 at ZAHRS, Shivamogga. The results revealed that the correlation coefficient for fruit yield per vine had highly significant (P<0.01) and positive with the number of fruits per vine (0.719), the number of nodes at which the first male flower appear (0.271) and the number of branches per vine (0.256). Fruit yield per vine also exhibited positive and significant (P<0.05) association with fruit length (0.201), number of leaves per vine (0.194), days to last harvest (0.181) and inter nodal length (0.158). The path analysis revealed that maximum direct effect of traits viz., number of fruits per vine, days to first female flower appearance, number of seeds per fruit, number of branches per vine, fruit diameter, fruit length, total soluble solids and total sugars on fruit yield. The superior transgressive segregants were identified which surpassed the limits of check hybrid ‘Chitra’ for a yield and quality attributing traits in the F2 population. Key words: Cucumber, quality, segregating population, yield

Evaluation of Growth, Yield, and Biochemical Attributes of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Cultivars under Karaj Conditions in Iran.

Vegetative and reproductive characteristics, fruit yield, and biochemical compounds of six bitter melon cultivars (Iranshahr, Mestisa, No. 486, Local Japanese, Isfahan, and Ilocano) were evaluated under Karaj conditions in Iran. The phytochemical properties of the cultivars were evaluated using both shade-dried and freeze-dried samples at three fruit developmental stages (unripe, semi-ripe, and ripe). There were significant differences in the vegetative and reproductive characteristics among cultivars, where cv. No. 486 was superior to most vegetative attributes. The fruit yield of cultivars varied from 2.98–5.22 kg/plant. The number of days to male and female flower appearance ranged from 19.00–25.33 and from 25–33 days, respectively. The leaf charantin content was in the range of 4.83–11.08 μg/g. Fruit charantin content varied with developmental stage, drying method, and cultivar. The highest charantin content (13.84 ± 3.55 µg/g) was observed at the semi-ripe fruit stage, and it was much higher in the freeze-dried samples than the shade-dried samples. Cultivar No. 486 had the highest (15.43 ± 2.4 µg/g) charantin content, whereas the lowest charantin content (8.51 ± 1.15 µg/g) was recorded in cultivar cv. Local Japanese. The highest total phenol content (25.17 ± 2.27 mg GAE/g) was recorded in freeze-dried samples of ripe fruits of cv. No. 486, whereas the lowest phenol content was detected in the shade-dried samples of semi-ripe fruits of Isfahan. cv. Flavonoid content was higher with the shade-drying method, irrespective of cultivar. In conclusion, considering the fruit yield and active biological compounds in the studied cultivars, cv. No. 486 should be grown commercially because of its higher yield and production of other secondary metabolites.

EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURES AND BIOFORTIFICATION OF SELENIUM ON PHYSIOLOGICAL AND FLOWERING PARAMETERS OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.)

A field experiment was carried out to study the “Effect of organic manures and biofortification of selenium on physiological and flowering parameters of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The study was conducted during two seasons viz., Season I (FebruaryMay 2019) and Season II (July-October 2019). The experiment was carried out following the principles of randomized block design with fifteen treatments which were replicated thrice. The organic manures used in the experiment were farmyard manure (25 t ha-1), enriched manure (1 t ha-1) along with consortium of biofertilizers (2 kg ha-1). The selenium in the form of sodium selenate (Na2 SeO4 ) was used at varying concentrations (5, 10 and 20 µg L-1) as soil and foliar application. The physiological parameters viz.,chlorophyll content index and dry matter production per plant were recorded the highest in which EM @ 1 t ha -1 + CBF @ 2 kg ha -1 + Se (20 µg L -1) as foliar was applied. The flowering parameters viz., days to first male flower appearance, node number of first male flower, number of male flowers per vinewere found to be minimum in the treatment that received FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + CBF @ 2 kg ha-1 + Se (20 µg L-1) as foliar application. The days to first female flower appearance, node number of first female flower, number of female flowers per vine, fruit set percentage andsex ratio were observed to be superior in the treatment that received EM @ 1 t ha-1 + CBF @ 2 kg ha-1 + Se (20 µg L-1) as foliar application in both the seasons respectively.

Performance Analysis of Bitter Gourd (MomordicacharantiaL.) under Different Training Systems

The present study aimed to identify suitable training system for bitter gourd cultivation,The experiment was conducted at College Orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the different training systems evaluated, pandal system recorded the highest vine length (481.81 cm), followed by the bamboo training system (476.76cm). The treatment using fish net training system showed the highest internodal length (6.34 cm). Pandal training system exhibited the highest number of branches (10.04). Earliness in terms of days for the appearance of male and female flowers was observed in pandal training system (41.33 and 53.16 days respectively). Days to 50% flowering was also found earlier in the pandal system (64.23 days). The narrow sex ratio (5.86) was observed in the bamboo pole support system tied with gunny thread. The pandal system recorded the highest number of fruits per vine (78.66) and gunny thread training system recorded the lowest number of fruits (34.83). The highest fruit length of 21.35 Madras Agric.J., 2021; doi: 10.29321/MAJ.10.000291(online first) cm and fruit diameter of 3.57 cm wererecorded inthe pandal training system. The maximum fruit weight was recorded in the pandal system (74.12 g fruit-1) and the minimum fruit weight was observed (52.74g fruit-1) in the fish net system. Pandal training system exhibited the highest yield plant-1 (5.79 kg plant-1), yield plot-1 (132.65 kg) and yield hectare-1 (119.16 q ha-1) while the lowest values were recorded under gunny thread system of cultivation. Among the different training systems pandal/conventional training system is more economical with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.51 followed by bamboo system, fish net system and bamboo poles support system tied with gunny thread

Fenología del pecán: resultados preliminares sobre el comportamiento floral en el centro-norte de la provincia de Buenos Aires

El pecán [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] se desarrolla en Argentina desde mediados del siglo XX, aunque su interés resurgió en los últimos años impulsado por el importante dinamismo que experimentó el comercio mundial de los frutos secos. Como árbol monoico y dicogámico, el estudio del comportamiento floral se torna de vital importancia para una exitosa implementación de la especie en regiones poco tradicionales como el centro-norte de Buenos Aires. El objetivo del trabajo fue establecer los momentos de aparición y senescencia de las flores masculinas y femeninas en árboles jóvenes de pecán cultivados en la región centro-norte de la provincia de Buenos Aires. El ensayo se ubicó en una plantación comercial en Navarro (Bs. As), donde por tres años consecutivos se registraron los momentos de inicio y senescencia de las flores masculinas y femeninas de cuatro cultivares, ‘Stuart’, ‘Desirable’, ‘Shoshoni’ y ‘Pawnee’. Los resultados preliminares mostraron que la presencia de ambos tipos de flores se extendió por un lapso de 10 semanas promedio, desde fines de septiembre a principios de diciembre. Todos los cultivares mostraron superposición de sus floraciones, asegurándose la polinización cruzada. Este conocimiento le brindará información al productor para la selección de los cultivares, ajustar las aplicaciones de agroquímicos para evitar daños de las flores y obtener mejores rendimientos y calidad de fruto. Como así también permitirá ajustar las fechas de los periodos de liberación del polen y receptividad del estigma, considerados momentos clave para la producción de este cultivo.

Influence of organic, inorganic and bio-fertilizers on growth, flowering, yield and quality attributes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) var. green long

The present investigation entitled “Influence of organic, inorganic and bio-fertilizers on growth, flowering, yield and quality attributes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L) var. Green Long” was carried out during the year 2019-2020 in the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology & Sciences Prayagraj in the months of Feb 2019 to May 2019. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 11th treatments combinations with control. The results revealed that T10 50% RDF + FYM@20 tonnes/ha + Vermicompost@10 tonnes/ha was found suitable for application in winter season bitter gourd cultivation for better flowering, growth, fruit yield and quality viz., The maximum average vine length (cm) at 30, 60, 90 DAS were recorded 124.65cm, 243.77cm, 368.61cm respectively, number of branches per plant at 30, 60, 90 DAS were recorded 4.34, 8.56, 14.56 respectively, number of leaves per plant at 30, 60, 90 DAS were recorded 80.86, 128.58, 288.76 respectively, Days to first female flower emergence were recorded at 33.17days respectively, Days to first male flower emergence were recorded at 30.41days respectively, Node. No. to which 1st male flower appearance were recorded at 13.46 respectively, Node. No. to which 1st female flower appearance were recorded at 24.87 respectively, Days to first fruit picking were recorded at 45.88 days respectively, No. fruit per plant were recorded at 42.20 respectively, length of fruit were observed 25.47cm and width of fruit were observed 17.24cm, Average fruit weight were observed 69.52gm, total yield per plant were recorded 2.934kg, fruit yield were recorded 52.81(t ha-1), total soluble solids were observed 4.81(0Brix), ascorbic acid were observed 84.52 (mg100g-1) and Shelf life were recorded 8.74 days respectively. The highest yield benefit cost ratio (4.38) were obtained in treatment T7 50% RDF + Azotobacter under Prayagraj agro climatic condition.

Mean performance of parents and hybrids for growth and yield attributing traits in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.)

The present investigation were carried out to know the mean performance of parents and hybrids for growth and yield attributing traits in ridge gourd at College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, during 2018-19. Among the ten parents used for study VRG-11, Swarna Manjari, VRG-13 and VRG-24 were high yielding of 3.31, 2.61, 2.49 and 1.66 kg per vine, respectively. The hybrids VRG-24 x VRG-13, VRG-24 x VRG-16, Swarna Manjari x Arka Prasan and Swarna Manjari x VRG-16 recorded the highest yield of 4.83, 4.25, 3.80 and 3.78 kg per vine, respectively in ridge gourd. The hybrid VRG-11 x Swarna Manjari was most promising for the trait which contribute to the highest yield per vine that is days to first female flower appearance. Based on their mean performance parents can be used for further breeding programmes and hybrids could be exploited for cultivation.&nbsp

Influence of plant growth regulators on vegetative growth, sex expression and yield of summer bottle gourd

Field experiments on bottle gourd variety ‘BARI Lau -4’ were conducted at the Plant Physiology field of Horticulture Research Center, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur during two consecutive summer seasons of 2015 and 2016 to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators on growth, sex expression, yield and yield components of the crop. The experiment consisted of different concentrations of Gibberellic acid (GA3), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Maleic hydrazide (MH) and single concentration of cycocel (CCC) viz., GA3 @ 10 ppm, GA3 @ 30 ppm, NAA @100 ppm, NAA @ 150 ppm, MH @ 50 ppm, MH @ 150 ppm and CCC @ 500 ppm along with distilled water considered as control. All growth regulators were sprayed to the seedlings at two-leaf stage and 4 days after the first spray. Growth regulator treatments had significant effect on primary branches/plant, node number of 1st male and female flower appearance, number of days to 1st male and female flower appearance, number of male and female flowers, sex ratio (male:female flower) number of fruits/plant, individual fruit weight and fruit yield. Spraying of MH @ 150 ppm gave the highest primary branches/plant (17.0 and 18.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively) and induced maximum female flowers (37.3 and 40.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively) at lower nodes followed by CCC @ 500 ppm (36.3) in the first year and MH @ 50 ppm (40.0) in the 2nd year. Application of MH @ 150 ppm caused early appearance of female flowers on the nearest node (from bottom). Application of MH @ 150 ppm gave the lower number of male flowers (81.7 and 96.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively) and the highest number of female flowers/plant, thereby producing lower male:female sex ratio (2.2 and 2.5 in first and 2nd year, respectively) and the maximum number of fruits/plant (12.0 and 14.0 in first and 2nd year, respectively). The maximum fruit weight/plant was obtained from the application of MH @ 150 ppm (29.3 and 35.8 in first and 2nd year, respectively) followed by CCC @ 500 ppm (26.0 in the 1st year and 29.0 in 2nd year). The highest fruit yield per hectare was recorded significantly with the application of MH @ 150 ppm (97.6 t/ha and 89.6 t/ha in first and 2nd year, respectively) closely followed by CCC @ 500 ppm (88.5 t/ha in 2015) and GA3 @ 30 ppm (75.3 t/ha in 2016), as compared to other treatments. The highest mean yield over the years was also recorded at MH @ 150 ppm (93.6 t/ha) followed by CCC @ 150 ppm (80.6 t/ha) and GA3 30 (74.1). Application of MH @ 150 ppm gave the maximum gross return and net return with the highest BCR of 5.24 followed by CCC 500 ppm (4.15) and GA3 30 ppm (3.86).
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(4): 577-590, December 2019

Combining ability and gene action in cucumber (<em>Cucumis sativus</em> L.)

The experimental material for the present study comprised of F1 population of twenty four crosses, developed by crossing four female parents viz., Sheetal, Shubhangi, Himangi, and Puna khira of cucumber with six male parents viz., AAUC-2, DC-2, AAUC-1, VRC-19, DARL-103 and Fansu local. The experiment was laid out with 24 F1s, 4 females 6 males and one check Konkan kakadi in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replications during the kharif 2017.Observations were recorded on thirteen different quantitative characters The perusal of estimates of gca effects revealed that two female parents viz., sheetal (0.572), Puna khira (0.235) and two male parents Fansu local (0.596) and VRC-19 (0.376) exhibited significant positive gca effect in kharif 2017. This showed that these parents were good general combiner for the marketable yield vine-1. The best three hybrids with respect to marketable yield vine-1based on significant positive sca were viz., Sheetal x Fansu local (0.942), Shubhangi x DC-2 (0.532), Puna khira x VRC-19 (0.484). A perusal of the data indicated that the estimates of σ2SCA were higher in magnitude as compared to σ2 GCA (average) both in females and males for the traits under study viz., days to first male flower appearance, days to first female flower appearance, nodal position of first female flower, days to first picking, fruit length and diameter, average fruit weight, marketable yield vine-1, harvest duration and total soluble solids. In all the traits studied, the SCA variances were higher than GCA values, indicated the role of non-additive gene action.While lower magnitude of SCA showed additive gene action. The heritability estimates from different variance components having very high heritability obtained for number of marketable fruits vine-1 (69.02%) and number of primary branches plant-1 (94.40%).

Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis Study on Snap Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. momordica) Farmer’s Varieties

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for yield and its component traits in 15 Snap melon farmer's varieties of Eastern Uttar Pradesh for 17 quantitative characters during Kharif- 2018. Analysis of variance showed significance differences for all the quantitative traits at 1% and 5% level of significance. Indicating considerable amount of genetic variation in different farmer's varieties of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The low difference between GCV and PCV depicted that a little or no influence of environment on the expression of the various quantitative traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was depicted by for fruit weight at average followed by number of seeds fruit−1 and 100 seed weight, indicating a predominance of additive gene effects and the possibilities of effective selection based on these traits for snap melon improvement. Therefore, these traits may be used as selection indices for genetic improvement of Snap melon farmer's varieties. Node at first female flower appearance followed by number of fruits plant−1, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit flesh thickness and fruit weigh at average show positive significant correlation and direct effect on yield plant−1 further proves their genetic worth for selection breeding through pure line/pedigree method.

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN FRUIT’S YIELD WITH HORTICULTURAL TRAITS AND INHERITANCE OF MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF SPONGE GOURD (LUFFA CYLINDRICA)

Abstract: Enhancing the production yield fornew generations of each horticultural crop needseffective selecting programs to find outexcellent traits forming thisfruit yield. Therefore,this study aims to investigate the correlations between the fruit yield withhorticultural traits, mainly with yield’s components and inheritance of some morphological traitsofsponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica). An F2 population was generated from a cross between sponge gourds GBVN006904 (male) and GBVN005333 (female) at University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University,Vietnam. The positive correlations are observed between the fruit yield per plant andthe fruit diameter, fruit weight, and number of fruits per plant (0.901**). The male first flower appearance time showsa significant positive correlation with female first flower appearance one. The peduncle length correlates positively with the fruit length. The fruit length is enhanced when fruit weight increases. The total soluble solids and fruit diameter show a slightly negative correlation. Chi-square analysis for the leaf shape, depth of lobing, leaf color, and leaf pubescence shows a good fit to a ratio of 9:6:1, thus being controlled by duplicate genes interaction. The fruit color (dark-green:light-green) fits well to a ratio of 15:1, giving its control to duplicate genes with dark-green color being dominant, whereas the fruit shape assorts independently according toa ratio of 9:3:3:1. The fruit stripe color exhibits monogenic incomplete dominance, and the curvature of the fruit is a monogenic recessive trait. Fruit yield components, such as the number of fruit per plant, the fruit weight, and the fruit diameter,strongly affect the fruit yield of sponge gourd. The inheritance of morphological traits indicates that most of the traits are controlled by complete dominance at both gene pairs excepted for fruit strip color and curvature of fruit.Keywords: correlation, inheritance, morphological traits, sponge gourd, yield components

Evaluation of bitter gourd Hybrids

The experiment was conducted at the Department of vegetable science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University during the year 2016–2017 to evaluate the performance of bitter gourd hybrids. The experimental material comprised of 16 hybrids and 5 check varieties collected from public (IARI, New Delhi and KAU, Thrissur) and private sectors. Observations were recorded for 14 characters and ranking of hybrids was done based on cumulative index worked out for the characters like, nodes to 1st female flower appearance, days to 1st picking, fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), relative early yield (kg), yield/plant (kg) and number of fruits per plant. Significant difference was observed among the hybrids for the selected characters. Promising 5 F1 hybrids selected based on the cumulative index were MC-142, MC-136, MC-139, MC-138 and MC-133.

Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol. Standl.) germplasm

The present investigation was conducted to determine the variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation of fruit yield and ten different yield contributing characters in bottle gourd. Wide range of variation was observed for most of the characters like fruit yield/vine, fruit number/vine, fruit weight, fruit yield/ha and node number for first female flower appearance. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied, indicating environmental influence on expression of these characters. However, high heritability (broad sense) along with high genetic advance was recorded by vinelength, branch number, fruit length, fruit width, fruit yield/vine and yield/ha indicating the presence of additive gene effects, hence selection can be employed for the improvement of these parameters. Fruit yield/ ha was significantly and positively associated with fruit number/vine and fruit yield/vine both at genotypic as well as phenotypic levels. Fruit number had maximum direct effect (0.812) on fruit yield/ha followed by fruit weight (0.407), fruit length (0.339), fruit width (0.310), fruit yield/vine (0.249), days taken for first female flower appearance (0.224) and vine length (0.173). Therefore for the yield improvement in bottle gourd, emphasismay be given for indirect selection through fruit parameters like fruit weight, fruit length, fruit number and fruit yield/vine.

Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol. Standl.) germplasm

The present investigation was conducted to determine the variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation of fruit yield and ten different yield contributing characters in bottle gourd. Wide range of variation was observed for most of the characters like fruit yield/vine, fruit number/vine, fruit weight, fruit yield/ha and node number for first female flower appearance. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied, indicating environmental influence on expression of these characters. However, high heritability (broad sense) along with high genetic advance was recorded by vinelength, branch number, fruit length, fruit width, fruit yield/vine and yield/ha indicating the presence of additive gene effects, hence selection can be employed for the improvement of these parameters. Fruit yield/ ha was significantly and positively associated with fruit number/vine and fruit yield/vine both at genotypic as well as phenotypic levels. Fruit number had maximum direct effect (0.812) on fruit yield/ha followed by fruit weight (0.407), fruit length (0.339), fruit width (0.310), fruit yield/vine (0.249), days taken for first female flower appearance (0.224) and vine length (0.173). Therefore for the yield improvement in bottle gourd, emphasismay be given for indirect selection through fruit parameters like fruit weight, fruit length, fruit number and fruit yield/vine.

Heterosis and potence ratio studies for yield and its contributing traits in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

The present experiment was conducted to estimate themheterosis and dominance effects in the inheritance of fruitmyield and its contributing traits in cucumber by using ninem parents (6 lines and 3 testers) crossed in Line × Tester design. ANOVA for Line × Tester analysis revealed thepresence of sufficient genetic diversity for different traits in the experimental material. The mid parent heterosis among different genotypes was obtained in both positive and negative direction for different traits under study. Maximum average heterosis was observed for the yield per hectare followed by the seed vigour index II, number of marketable fruits per plant, severity of downy mildew, average fruit weight, harvest duration, severity of powdery mildew, node number bearing first female flower, fruit length, incidence of fruit fly, fruit breadth, seed vigour index I, total soluble solids, seed germination, days to marketable maturity anddays to first female flower appearance. Partial to over dominance effects were involved in the inheritance of the studied traits. Hybrids estimated positive or negative potence ratio with >1 value is the indication of prevalence of over dominance in desirable direction and scope for exploitation via heterosis breeding in cucumber. Experimental results revealed that among 18 crosses, five crosses naming LC-1-1 × K-75, LC-1-1 × Poinsette, LC-2-2 × K-75, LC-2-2 × Poinsette and CGN-20515 × Poinsette were found superior on the basis of overall mean performance and heterotic response for most of the traits. These hybrid combinations could be exploited commercially for the development of hybrids/varieties for better yield, quality (TSS), insect-pest & disease resistance and seed traits in cucumber.

Mapping and QTL Analysis of Gynoecy and Earliness in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) Technology.

A high-density, high-resolution genetic map was constructed for bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). A total of 2013 high quality SNP markers binned to 20 linkage groups (LG) spanning a cumulative distance of 2329.2 cM were developed. Each LG ranging from 185.2 cM (LG-12) to 46.2 cM (LG-17) and average LG span of 116.46 cM. The number of SNP markers mapped in each LG varied from 23 markers in LG-20 to 146 markers in LG-1 with an average of 100.65 SNPs per LG. The average distance between markers was 1.16 cM across 20 LGs and average distance between the markers ranged from 0.70 (LG-4) to 2.92 (LG-20). A total of 22 QTLs for four traits (gynoecy, sex ratio, node and days at first female flower appearance) were identified and mapped on 20 LGs. The gynoecious (gy-1) locus is flanked by markers TP_54865 and TP_54890 on LG 12 at a distance of 3.04 cM to TP_54890 and the major QTLs identified for the earliness traits will be extremely useful in marker development and MAS for rapid development of various gynoecious lines with different genetic background of best combiner for development of early and high yielding hybrids in bitter gourd.