Genetic variability and character association analysis in snake gourd

Estimates of genetical parameters of thirty-six snake gourd genotypes indicated a good amount of genetic variation in the germplasm collections. Characters like fruit yield, fruit weight and seeds/fruit exhibited high values of heritability and genetic gain indicating additive gene effects are important in determining these characters. The character association analysis revealed that yield was strongly correlated with fruit weight, fruits/plant, fruit girth, fruit length, days to first harvest, flesh thickness and days to first female flower opening. Fruit weight and fruits/plant have the maximum positive direct effects on yield and the indirect contribution of other characters was mainly through days to first harvest, seeds/fruit and hundred seed weight.