Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
SP Deokar, BB Dhakare, BT Patil and DB Kshirsagar

Abstract:
The study on variability and correlation in F₄ generation of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L. Roxb.) was carried out at AICRP on vegetable crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during 2022-2023. The aim of this study is to develop a superior and good quality inbred line. The present study was performed in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The five parents along with their five progenies selected for this study derived from the cross (Arka Sumeet x Konkan Harita) was used for this study. The results showed that a moderate GCV and PCV along with high heritability and high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for the following characteristics: vine length, number of branches per vine, node at which the first male flower appeared, sex ratio, number of pickings, diameter of fruit, fruit yield per vine, fruit yield per plot and fruit yield per hectare. On the other hand, high heritability but with moderate to low genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for the following traits in the F₄ generation: days to first female flower appearance, days to first male flower appearance, node at which the first female flower appeared, days taken to reach 50 % flowering, days to the first harvest, days to the final harvest, fruit length, fruit weight and number of fruits per vine. In terms of correlation a significant and positive correlation was observed between fruit yield per vine and several growth-related traits. These factors included length of the vine, number of branches per vine, number of pickings, days to last picking, dimensions of the fruit (length and diameter), fruit weight and number of fruits per vine. Conversely, there was a substantial and negative correlation between fruit yield per vine and various reproductive traits. These traits encompassed days to first appearance of female and male flowers, node number at which the first female and male flowers emerged, duration until 50 % flowering, sex ratio and days taken for the first picking.