Interrelationship and contribution of yield components of fruityield in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]

An investigation was carried out for analysis of correlation coefficient and path coefficients in 44 genotypes of bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] during summer season of 2010. Correlation computed between fruit yield and its components indicated a positive and significant correlation of fruit yield with primary branches per plant, fruit length, number of fruits per plant and total sugar content. Whereas days to opening of first male flower and first female flowering node showed significant and negative correlation with fruit yield. Path coefficient analysis clearly indicated that due emphasis should be given on the characters like days to open first female flower, fruit weight, primary branches per plant and number of fruits per plant for improving the yield of bottle gourd.