Progressive Horticulture

The present investigation was subjected to evaluate thirty sponge gourd genotypes including pusa chikni (National check) best suited to high yield and marketable character for eleven traits during Zaid 2008. Days to first marketable fruit harvest exerted significant and positive association with days taken for anthesis of first female flower and days taken for anthesis of first female flower. The path coefficient analysis revealed average fruit weight, number of fruit per plant and days to first marketable fruit harvest had positive direct effect on marketable fruiting yield per plant. The above finding indicated that an ideal plant with days to first marketable fruit harvest, days taken for anthesis of first female flower, days taken for anthesis of first male flower, higher average fruit weight and maximum number of fruit per plant might be help in improving marketable fruit yield per plant in sponge gourd for formulating desirable plant with high yield with superior marketable character.