Occurrence, identification and preliminary charactrization of gynoecism in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

This is one of the rare reports on the identification of gynoecism in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), wherein results on flowering habit of 5 crosses were described. The analysis of F1 plants revealed that gynoecism was under the control of few recessive major genes. In the light of rare availability of gynoecious sex trait in bitter gourd, breeding materials generated during this study may be considered potential not only to study genetics of gynoecious but also to develop gynoecious lines and improved populations with ability to produce increased pistillate flowers.