Studies on heterobeltiosis and combining ability in bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.)

MAYA MAURYA, J. MOHAN and M. L. KUSHWAHA¹

Janta Vedic College, Baraut, Baghpat (U.P.)

¹V.C.S.G. College of Horticulture,

G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and  Technology,

Bharsar-246 123, Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand)

ABSTRACT

  A studies on heterosis and combining ability was carried out involving 15 hybrids from 6 diverse genotypes of bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.). Evaluation was done during kharif season 2003 and summer season 2004 at Janta Vedic College, Baraut, Baghpat. Out of 15 crosses 9 crosses showed consistently high significant heterobeltiosis over the season for fruit yield per plant. The outstanding hybrid in order of superiority were BIG-1 x Kalyanpur Sona, BIG-4 x BIG-56, BIG-11 x Kalyanpur Sona and BIG-11 x BIG-56. Based on general combining ability over the seasons, the best general combiners for fruit yield per plant were Kalyanpur Sona, BIG-4 and BIG-11.Based on specific combining ability effects, the promising crosses were BIG-4 x BIG-56, BIG-1 x Kalyanpur Sona, BIG-4 x Kalyanpur Sona and BIG-4 x BIG-11.