Performance of gynoecious × monoecious hybrids of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.).

Abstract

Results are presented of an experiment conducted in New Delhi, India, in 2010 to evaluate the performance of hybrids in bitter melon (M. charantia) by making crosses on the tissue cultured raised gynoecious line, DBGY-201, with 12 other inbreds: Pusa Do Mausami, Pusa Vishesh, Sel 2, Nakhara Local, MC 84, S26, S29, S30, S41, S54, S57 and DBG 34. The F1 hybrids along with 3 commercial monoecious × monoecious hybrids namely VNR 22, US 33 and PH 2 were used as the controls to compare the performance of gynoecious × monoecious hybrids. Data were recorded on yield and its related traits, fruit number per plant, length and diameter. All the hybrids performed extremely well in comparison to the controls in terms of yield. The gynoecious parent holds immense potentiality for exploitation of hybrid vigour with respect to yield and earliness. Besides this, it has been proved that DBGY-201 has already shown high general combining ability, hence, selection in advanced generation is also equally awarding for development of predominantly gynoecious cultivars by using this line as female parent.