Department of Horticulture, University of Udaipur, Udaipur
Variability studies were made in ten lines of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Of the ten characters studied, genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability per cent in broad sense and genetic advance as per cent of mean were highest for number of fruits per plant and lowest for number of male flowers per plant. High heritability value in conjunction with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of fruits per plant, weight of fruit and yield per plant. Yield per plant was highly positively correlated with number of fruits per plant. Number of fruits per plant was also having high positive correlation with number of lateral branches per plant and number of female flowers per plant. Number of female flowers was having maximum positive direct effect on yield and the indirect contribution of other characters on yield was mainly through number of lateral branches per plant, number of female flowers per plant and number of fruits per plant.
