Evaluation of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L.) Genotypes for Yield and Quality Traits under Coimbatore Condition

The ridge gourd germplasm consisting of thirty five entries were evaluated for yield and quality attributes under Coimbatore conditions during 2012. There were significant differences in yield and quality among the genotypes studied. The genotype IC 413577 recorded earliness in yield while the maximum fruit length and fruit weight was registered in CO 1. The fruit girth and fruit flesh thickness were the maximum in PKM 1 and 090 respectively. The most promising genotype, IC 413577 recorded the maximum number of fruits per vine and fruit yield per vine followed by IC 385912. The genotype 030 had low crude fibre content while IC 413577 and CO 1 recorded the highest carbohydrate and protein content respectively. The variability among the genotypes in the germplasm evaluated for yield and quality attributes can be effectively utilized in crop improvement with IC 413577, the most promising genotype as common parent and other entries with special characters as partners to develop character specific hybrids with maximum yield.