Studies on Genetic Variability in Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L. Roxb.) under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition

Aim: To study the genetic variability of ridge gourd uber Prayagraj Agro-climatic condition.

Study Design: Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD).

Place and Duration of Study: Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj. Between August 2021 to October 2021.

Methodology: 11 genotypes of fennel were sown in three replications in RCB design. In each replication data were observed on five plants and averaged for all 21 characters under study.

Results: Analysis of variance showed the presence of significant variation among different genotypes for all characters studied. Days to germination and plant height [30DAS] exhibited high estimates of GCV and PCV both. Genetic parameters revealed that high heritability (broad sense) was observed for fruit yield per hectare, plant height [30DAS], fruit length, plant height [60DAS], days to first harvest of fruits, days to germination, leaf length, sex ratio, fruit girth, fruit yield per plant, days to first male flowering, shelf life, leaf per plant [30DAS], Vitamin C content and number of primary branches per plant. Fruit yield per hectare, fruit yield per plant, fruit girth, fruit length, leaf length, plant height [60DAS], plant height [30DAS] and days to germination exhibited high heritability broad sense coupled with high values for genetic advance as percent of mean.

Conclusion: Selection in these traits will lead to higher efficiency in breeding programme for improving yield. Thus these traits may be ranked as most important attributing traits for seed yield per plant in fennel.