Heterosis in snakegourd (trichosanthes cucumerina l.)

Abstract

Abstract : Five parents of snakegourd were crossed in a half diallel fashion to determine the magnitude of heterosis for eight important yield related characters during summer season. Both positive and negative heterosis was obtained of which few hybrids showed desirable and significant values. The cross combination P, x P5 (SG004 x SG025) showed the highest significant mid parental heterotic effect for earliness, fruit diameter, total fruit per plant and fruit yield per plant. Moreover, the cross combinations P, x P2 (SG001 x SG004), P2 x P3 (SG004 x SG007) and P, x P5 (SG004 x SG025) showed the highest significant better parent heterosis effect for earliness which was reflected from days to first male and female flower, node number for first female flower. On the other hand, the hybrid P3 x P4(SG007 x SG018) showed the highest better parent heterosis for fruit yield per plant. These crosses could be used for exploitation of heterosis in snakegourd.