DUS Characterization of Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] Genotypes

The Present study was carried out for characterization of Bottle gourd genotypes based on DUS guidelines. Four Bottle gourd genotypes were characterized based on the DUS guidelines given by PPV and FRA. A total of 31 characters given in DUS guidelines were used for characterization. The genotypes for study were obtained from Directorate of Research, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, U.P. Among the 31 characters studied 18 characters were visually examined and 13 characters were measured. The fruit shape in longitudinal section was expressed as cylindrical (Desi Lauki-404), round (Desi Lauki Gol-417), elongate curved (Desi Lauki-398) and (Lauki-426). The fruit skin colour has been grouped as dark green (Desi lauki-398) and light green (Desi Lauki-404, Desi Lauki Gol-417, Lauki-426). There was no change in the expression of characters of the respective genotypes for a period of two consecutive years. In the present study the main focus was on characterization of the 4 bottle gourd genotypes based on DUS guidelines, tests for Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability were not part of the present study.