Combining ability and gene action studies in ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L.]

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out at All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Rahuri during kharif season of 2021.Six promising parental lines of diverse origin of ridge gourd selected, crossing them in half diallel fashion (without reciprocals). The performance of the parents and 15 F1s hybrids with one standard check was assessed in a randomized block design with three replications. Distance between rows was kept 150 cm and plants were spaced at 100 cm apart within row. Observations were recorded of 5 selected plants in each replication for the characters like average fruit weight (g), average length of fruit (cm), diameter of fruit (cm), yield per plot (kg) and yield per hectare. All agronomical practices were followed to grow good crop. The plant protection measures were adopted as and when required to control pest and diseases. GCA, SCA and gene action were calculated. From the estimates, it is observed that, the parent Pusa Nasdar (6.53), Solani 5 (10.05) showed highly significant positive gca effects for characters i.e. average fruit weight (g), average length of fruit (cm), diameter of fruit (cm), yield per plot (kg) and yield per hectare. Hybrid Pusa Nasdar x Solani 5 showed significant positive sca effects for yield per hectare and parents found better specific combining. Among the cross combinations hybrid Pusa Nasdar x Solani 5 was found promising for obtaining highest yields. From this study, it is showed that SCA variance is greater than GCA variance indicating the preponderance of non- additive gene action for yield characters, hence the character should be improved through heterosis breeding.