Characterization and estimation of genetic diversity of snake gourd (trichosanthes anguina l.) genotypes

Snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.) is an important Cucurbitaceous vegetable and has been traditionally grown due to its easy cultivation and short duration. An experiment was conducted by Randomized block design to characterize and assess the genetic diversity of 40 genotypes collected from different parts of South India which differ morphologically including one check variety MDU-1, at the Department of Horticulture, Annamalai University. Data were recorded for eleven characters. Variations have been observed in different characters like days to first male flowering, days to first female flower opening, Number of fruits per plant, Fruit length(cm), Fruit girth (cm), Flesh thickness (cm), Fruit weight (g), Fruit yield (kg/plant) and Number of seeds per fruit. The range observed for days to first male flower opening (18.38 to 46.50), days to first female flower opening (28.88 to 57.33), Number of fruits per plant (7.00 to 27.50), Fruit length (34.73 to 175.99), Fruit girth (10.20 to 30.36), Flesh thickness (0.40 to 1.17), Fruit weight (292.70 to 970.71), Fruit yield/plant (3.06 to 10.4g) and Number of seeds per fruit (22.18 to 90.75).