Genetic variability and character association in snake gourd (trichosanthes anguina l.)

An investigation entitled “Genetic Variability and Character association in snake gourd (Trichosanthes Anguina L.)” was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India. The characters observed were days to first male and female flower opening, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, flesh thickness, single fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, number of seeds per fruit, Vitamin C and acidity content of fruit. The results revealed that the genotype G27 followed by G2, G29, G5 and G12 expressed the maximum fruit yield per plant. High PCV, GCV and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed among the genotypes for most of the traits studied except days to first male flower opening and acidity content of fruit. Based on the per se performance with specific trait and genetic divergence from different clusters, six genotypes namely P1–Hessaraghatta local (Bangalore, Karnataka), P2–Ottanchathiram local (Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu), P3–IC-212484, NBPGR, Trichur, P4–Michaelpalayam local (Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu), P5–PKM–1 (mutant variety, HC&RI, TNAU, Periyakulam), P6–Vellayani local (Kerala) were selected for crossing.