Path coefficient studies and character association in botile gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) standi.)

The present experiment entitled “Path coefficient studies and character association in bottle gourd [Lagenaria sicerarla (Molina) Stand] was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Applied Plant Science (Horticulture), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow during Kharlf season of 2008 and 2009. In the present investigation fifteen diverse genotypes of bottle gourd were used as experimental materials. The 15 genotypes are AD-1, OK, PBOG-22, VRBG-1, VRBG-18, VRBG-40, VRBG-44, VRBG-88, VRBG-105, VRBG-107, VRBG-112, VRBG-148. Pusa Naveen, PSPL and NDBG-104. The trial was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. The row to row and plant to plant spacing were maintained at 2.0 x 1.0 m, respectively. Positive and significant correlation coefficient were recorded for fruit yield per plant with days to first female flower anthesis, vine length (m), number of primary branches, per plant, length of fruit (cm), weight per fruit (kg) and number of fruits per plant. While length of fruit (cm), weight per fruit (kg) and number of fruits per plant also had positive and direct effect on fruit per plant, thus, indicating desirable Improvement towards fruit (kg) and number of fruits per plant was given high priority In selection programme for future improvement of bottle gourd.