Estimation of combining ability and nature of gene action for yield and quality traits in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] under salt affected soil

Abstract

Present investigations were carried out in bottle gourd to assess the combining ability and nature of gene action for yield and quality traits in bottle gourd. About 27 bottle gourd hybrids generated by crossing 9 lines with 3 testers, along with their twelve parents evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replication at the Main Experiment Station (salt affected soil), Department of Vegetable Science, ANDUA&T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, during the of Zaid seasons of year 2020 and 2021. The pooled estimates of general combining ability over seasons revealed that parents, namely NDBG-13 and NDBG-Sel-1, in both the years and pooled, and Narendra Rashmi in Y2 and pooled, showed positive and significant gca effects in the desirable direction for total fruit yield per plant and other important characters. However, four crosses viz., Narendra Pooja × Pusa Naveen, NDBG-13 × Narendra Rashmi, NDBG-Sel × Narendra Rashmi and Narendra Kamna × Narendra Rashmi in both the years and pooled, NDBG-28 × Pusa Naveen and NDBG-105 × Narendra Prabha and NDBG-28 × Narendra Prabha were found as best specific combiners as they showed significant and positive sca effects in desirable directions. Overdominance was estimated for most of the traits studies, which reveals that the heterosis breeding approach will be more rewarding in bottle gourd.