Studies on Genetic Variability and Divergence in Sweet Gourd (Momordica subangulata ssp. renigera [(G. Don) W.J. de Wilde)] Accessions Collected from West Bengal

Eleven genotypes were evaluated for 14 quantitative and two qualitative components during the rainy season of 2007–08 and 2008–09. The genotype × environment interactions were non-significant for all the characters, hence, the data were pooled over the years and discussed on the basis of mean of two years. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences for all the characters investigated. High GCV and PCV values were observed for characters like primary branches/vine followed by total fruit yield/vine, fruit weight and protein content. High heritability coupled with low genetic advance was observed for almost all the quantitative and qualitative characters. High heritability coupled with exceptional high genetic advance was found for total fruit yield/vine. Correlation studies in relation to various characters revealed that total fruit yield/vine was positively and significantly correlated to fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit girth and protein content. Days to first female flower appearance which reflects the earliness to fruiting was positively and significantly associated with days to fi rst male flower appearance and pedicel length. Among the biochemical traits, protein content showed significant and positive correlation with fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit girth and total fruit yield/vine. Path analysis at phenotypic level revealed that total fruit yield/vine was positively dependent on characters like number of fruits/vine and fruit weight.