Analysis of Bitter Gourd Hybrids for Yield Traits by using Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis

The correlation and path coefficients of 12 growth and yield parameters in bitter gourd was carried out at the Vegetable Experimental Farm, College of Horticulture, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Andhra Pradesh. For all traits, genotypic correlations were stronger than phenotypic correlations, suggesting innate relationships between various attributes. Captivatingly, at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels, yield per plant showed substantial positive associations with plant height, days to 1^st male flower appearance, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, and internodal length and seed per fruit. The results of the path coefficient analysis showed that traits significantly and directly improved fruit yield are number of fruits per plant, plant height, days to 1^st female flower appearance, sex ratio and fruit diameter. This implies that increasing fruit yield per plant in bitter gourd might be achieved by direct selection focused on these traits.