Heterosis and inbreeding depression for fruit characters in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl]

Fifteen hybrids and six parental lines were evaluated for heterosis and inbreeding depression for fruit characters, i.e. fruit length, fruit diameter, weight of edible fruit, number of fruits plant⁻¹ and yield plant⁻¹. Most of the crosses showed significant heterosis over better parent for these traits besides, either or both the standard varieties viz., Pusa Naveen and Pusa Summer Prolific Long. The miximum heterosis for total yield plant⁻¹ was manifested by PN ×PSPL followed by 9503 × PSPL, KLG × PN, 9503 × PN and KLG × PSPL in the same order. Furthermore, these crosses were found excelling for one or more fruit traits governing yield. In general, crosses showing significant heterosis in F₁ have also revealed inbreeding depression in F₂ population.