Agricultural Research Journal

Fifty four genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) comprising 36 hybrids, 15 parents and 3 checks were evaluated for stability with respect to 17 different characters in three various environments. The analysis of variance for phenotypic stability revealed that the mean squares due to genotypes were significant for all the characters. The mean squares due to linear components i.e. G x E (linear) interactions were also significant for all the characters except node at which first female flower appeared, fruit length, number of seeds per fruit and ascorbic acid content. Stability parameter for total yield per vine indicated that hybrids viz., L₁ x T₂, L₁ x T₃, L₂ x T₃, x T₂, L₆ x T₃, L₇ x T₃, L₁₁ x T₂ and L₁₂ x T₂ which exhibited non-significant deviation from regression (S²di) and regression coefficient less than unity (bi <1) and higher mean values as compared to the population mean, were considered suitable and stable under unfavourable environments whereas hybrids viz., L₃ x T₃, L₄ x T₁, L₅ x T₁, L₅ x T₂, L₇ x T₂, L₉ x T₁ and L₁₁ x T₁ exhibited non-significant deviation from regression (S²di) and regression coefficient greater than unity (bi >1) with higher mean values as compared to the population mean. These hybrids were found stable in favourable environments.