Heterosis for morphological and yield traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

In present experiment 36 F₁ hybrids of bitter gourd were studied to investigate the extent of heterosis for yield and its contributing traits. For yield per vine significant estimates of heterosis in positive direction were recorded in 25 hybrids over the mid parent, ranged from 18.01% (L₁₀ × T₂) to 112.92% (L₉ × T₁) and in 12 hybrids over the better parent varied from 10.73% (L₁ × T₁) to 64.10% (L₉ × T₁). The estimates of significant economic heterosis in positive direction against the best check “Charles ”were found in 6 hybrids viz., L₉ × T₁, L₉ × T₃, L₈ × T₁, L₅ × T₁, L₁₁ × T₁ and L₄ × T₁ across the environments, having the range varied from 17.45% (L₄ × T₁) to 48.82% (L₉ × T₁). These best performing F₁ hybrids may be exploited for commercial cultivation.