Development of heterotic hybrid in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for earliness and high fruit yield

The present investigation was undertaken to study the magnitude of heterosis in 45 hybrids (F1s) developed by following the Line × Tester mating design using fifteen lines and three testers for earliness and high fruit yield. Among the parents, OBGCBR-2 and IC-085611 have performed as superior genotypes for heterosis. Highest degree of heterosis for most of the traits i.e., earliness and fruit yield traits were registered in desired direction in the hybrid OBGCBR-2 × Jaunpuri Green. Estimation of standard heterosis in cross OBGCBR-1 × IC-085611 recorded desired relative heterosis for days to 50% pistillate flowering. Heterosis for node at which 1st pistillate flower appears was in the desired direction in cross OBGCBR-2 × Jaunpuri Green for standard check and; hybrid Meghna × Jaunpuri Green for relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis. Hybrids Katehi × IC-085612 exhibited negative and significant relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis for internodal length. In case of sex ratio and fruit length cross OBGCV-2 × IC-085612 showed heterosis in desired direction for relative parent and heterobeltiosis. The positive and significant, relative parent and heterobeltiosis was in the hybrid Green Jhalari × Jaunpuri Green for fruit diameter. For average fruit weight positive and significant heterosis observed in cross OBGCBR-2 × IC-085611 over standard parent. Estimation of standard heterosis for number of fruit plant-1 indicated that the hybrids OBGCBR-2 × IC-085611 found to be desirable superior cross combinations over standard heterosis followed by Meghna × Jaunpuri Green for relative parent and heterobeltiosis.