Study of genetic components of variation for enhancing yield attributes in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying yield components is crucial for enhancing productivity and developing high-quality cultivars. This study aims to elucidate the gene action influencing these components through generation mean analysis. Eight genetically diverse parental lines were crossed to develop 28 F1 hybrids, which were evaluated during the summer of 2022 at G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India. The analysis revealed that dominance gene action predominantly governs most traits, including days to anthesis, average fruit weight, and fruit yield. Over-dominance was particularly evident in traits such as the number of nodes to the first male flower and days to first fruit harvest, suggesting significant hybrid vigor. Additionally, low narrow-sense heritability estimates indicate that traditional selection methods may be ineffective for genetic improvement. Therefore, hybrid breeding strategies leveraging dominance variance and heterosis are recommended for enhancing bitter gourd productivity. These findings offer valuable insights for breeders, emphasizing the critical role of understanding genetic mechanisms in the pursuit of crop improvement.