Identification of novel genotypes for high yielding hybrid development in ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb.)L.]

Abstract

The present investigation detected unique genotypes of
ridge gourd for development of high yielding hybrids in
respect of general and specific combining ability with
heterosis over better parent as well as economic parent.
With the aim of recognizing both the phenomenon, 10
quantitative characters for yield and its component traits
was examined in 28 hybrids derived from a 8 × 8 diallel mating
design excluding reciprocals. The best three parents
identified as promising general combiner were PRG 117, PRG
131 and PRG 132 for earliness, vegetative and yield
characters. For earliness, vegetative and fruit characters,
number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and total fruit
yield the crosses like PRG 131 × PRG 132, PCPGR 7256 ×
PRG 117, PRG 117 × PRG 7 and PRG 132 × PRG 120 were best
specific combiners. Regarding fruiting traits PRG 131 × PRG
120, PRG 131 × PRG 132 and PRG 132 × PRG 120 showed
highest heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis. For fruit
yield the crosses PRG 131 × PRG 132 showed the highest
heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis followed by PRG 132
× PRG 7 and PRG 131 × PRG 137 respectively.