Assessment of the Genetic Diversity in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]

The present investigation was conducted to assess the genetic variability and genetic diversity of bottle gourd Lagenaria seceraria (Mol.) Standl.] Among 24 genotypes collected from different institute/SAUs during kharif season (2018-2019). Analysis of variance showed significant variation for all traits indicating wide range of variability in genotypes. The highest genotypic and phenotypic co-efficience of variation was observed in terms of fruit girth and fruit length, which indicates that high degree of variability in these character and suggested that possibility of yield improvement through selection of this traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were recorded for fruit length, fruit girth, days to first fruit harvest, and for vine length, which indicates that above characters may be most potential for further improvement. Mahalanobis D2 analysis revealed that a considerable genetic diversity was found among genotypes. Total study twenty four genotypes of bottle gourd were grouped in five clusters. The I (19 genotypes) and III (2 genotypes) cluster had the maximum number of genotypes. The maximum inter cluster D2 value was recorded between Cluster V and Cluster I and the minimum inter cluster D2 value was recorded in cluster V and III. The maximum inter cluster D2 values indicates that genotypes of Cluster V and Cluster I not closely related, whereas the genotypes of cluster II, cluster III and cluster IV were found closely related due to minimum inter cluster D2 value. The maximum contribution percentage was found with fruit length among all the characters contributed.