Vol. 12, Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
DR Bhardwaj, Rajneesh Srivastava, Ajay Kumar Rai, Ashok Rai, Vikash Singh, Kamlesh Meena and Neeraj Singh

Abstract:
The current study used eight bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) populations (333 Sib, 323, 144 Sib, 244, 166 Sib, 2144, 2145, and 2116) descended from gynoecious lines segregating for monoecious and gynoecious plants and two checks (Pusa Hybrid and Pusa Do Mausami). The segregation study found that key recessive genes govern gynoecious base derived populations. Fruit yield per plant was higher in three populations (gynoecious 323, monoecious 323, and gynoecious 333) than check (Pusa Do Mausami), but lower than in the Pusa Hybrid. The yields of both gynoecious populations were higher than those of the monoecious group. Because the fruit size and shape of both populations are of acceptable quality, gynoecious base populations can be commercially exploited. Both populations' monoecious plants (323 and 333) produced pistillate flowers at lower nodes than staminate flowers, and staminate flowers developed 20-30 days after pistillate flowers. This is one of the most useful visual observations made throughout the study, which might be used for hybrid seed production if inbred populations produced from such populations are employed as female parents. The significant positive correlation of vine length with number of fruits/plant and fruit yield which provide ample scope to produce more flowering nodes and fruits in biter gourd. The cross combination 333 x PDM (50%)and 333 x MC-83, 2116 x DVBTG-2 and 2145 x DVBTG-2 are found best cross combination having 33 fruit set, which can be used as hybrids and parents can be utilized in development of trait specific cross combinations considering yield and number of fruits/plant.