Vol. 10, Issue 6 (2021)

Author(s):
Himalay R Patel and DR Mehta

Abstract:
An investigation was conducted with nine diverse parents to develop thirty-six F₁’s and F₂’s by using half-diallel mating design to estimate heterosis and inbreeding depression for fruit yield and its components in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among parents, F₁’s and F₂’s for all the characters studied. High heterosis for fruit yield per plant was reflected through high heterosis for number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth and average fruit weight in most of crosses. High magnitude of heterobeltiosis for fruit yield per plant was recorded in the cross, Arka Bahar x Santosh followed by Punjab Long x Santosh, Punjab Long x NDBG-15, Punjab Long x JBOGL-01-42 and Punjab Long x JBGL-43. The highest standard heterosis for fruit yield per plant was registered by the cross Arka Bahar x Santosh followed by Punjab Long x Santosh, Punjab Long x NDBG-15, NDBG-15 x Santosh and Punjab Long x JBGL-43. Two crosses viz., JBOGL-01-42 x PBOG-88 and Aruna x Santosh exhibited significant and lowest inbreeding depression for fruit yield per plant. The crosses with high heterotic values for fruit yield per plant and its important attributes also showed high inbreeding depression. The cross combinations, Arka Bahar x Santosh and Punjab Long x Santosh were the most promising cross combinations for fruit yield per plant, on the basis of their high heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis in both F₁ and F₂ generations and thus, can be utilized effectively in the breeding programme.