Correlation and path-coefficient studies in bitter gourd

Correlation and path-coefficient studies were conducted with thirteen genotypes of bitter gourd. Positively significant correlations of yield/plant with fruit weight, fruit length, number of seeds per fruit, vine length and days to first harvest indicated that simultaneous improvement can be made if selection is made for any one of the correlated characters. Path-analysis revealed that fruit breadth, days to opening of first male and female flower, vine length and number of seeds per fruit had the maximum positive direct effect on yield in bitter gourd. The characters like fruit weight and fruit length, though have significant positive correlation with yield, exhibited low direct effect. Besides direct selection for yield, indirect selection through number of seeds per fruit and fruit weight would prove worth for further improvement in yield of bitter gourd.