Heterosis for yield and its contributing traits in sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (Roem) L.]

The present study was conducted to estimate heterosis for yield and related traits in 40 hybrids of sponge gourd. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. A wide range of variation in the estimates of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis in positive and negative direction were observed for all the traits studied. In case of fruit yield per plant, heterobeltiosis ranged from -8.07 to 109.04 % and standard heterosis from -33.06 to 22.07 % in Y1 and heterobeltiosis ranged from -17.35 to 118.59 % and standardheterosis from -34.47 to 36.73 % in Y2. Out of 40 crosses, twenty nine F1’s showed significant and positive heterosis over better parent and twelve F1’s showed significant and positive heterosis over standard parent in Y1 and twenty seven F1’s showed significant and positive heterosis over better parent and twelve F1’s showed significant and positive standard heterosis over standard parent in Y2 foraverage fruits yield per plant (kg). The best three F1’s for heterobeltiosis were, NDSG-10 × NDSG-12, NDSG-10 × NDSG-15 and NDSG-4 × Pusa Chikni in both the years while the crosses NDSG-55 × NDSG-11, NDSG-63 × Pusa Chikni and NDSG-24 × Pusa Chikni were found superior over standard variety (Pusa Chikni) in both the years. The study suggested scope of heterosis breeding for improving yield and related traits in sponge gourd.