Heterosis and combining ability for quantitative traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Combining ability and heterosis for yield and its component traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) were studied among 28 crosses and their 8 parents in a randomized block design at Hyderabad. Highly significant differences for genotype, general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) were observed for all the characters under assessment. All the traits under study primarily governed by non-additive gene action except vine length, days to 1^st male and female flower appeared, number of fruitsvine⁻¹ and pulp thickness. Among the parents, IC-044438, IC470560, IC-470558 and IC-085622 showed high mean performance as well as high gca effects for one or more traits hence, considered to be superior general combiners for utilization in hybridization programme for the crop improvement in bitter gourd. Among the crosses, IC 044438 x IC 045339, followed by IC-044417 x IC-470558 were found to be highly promising hybrids by expressing heterosis in all forms (relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis) and sca effects in desirable direction for yield and most of the yield contributing characters. For earliness, the crosses, IC044438 x IC-045339, IC-045339 x IC-470550 and IC-045339 x IC-470558 were identified as promising specific crosses.