Genetic variability, trait association and multivariate analysis for yield improvement in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.)

Abstract

The present study evaluated 30 diverse bottle gourd genotypes during rabi 2023–24 at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The trial was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with 3 replications and the observations were analysed using analysis of variance, genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient to assess genetic diversity and trait interrelationships influencing yield. Highly significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits revealed substantial inherent variability, providing a strong basis for selection. The genotypes, 2021/BOGVAR-8 and 2021/BOGVAR-6, exhibited superior performance with earliness, desirable fruit traits and high yield potential. The standard checks, Pusa Naveen and Kashi Kirti, also showed a good yield pattern and were used as standards. The first two principal components explained a large percentage of the variation, with yield being related to fruit length (FL), fruit girth (FG), average fruit weight (AFW), number of fruits per plant (NFPP) and branching behaviour. Earliness traits were negatively correlated with yield, indicating a trade-off between early maturity and productivity. Genetic parameter estimates showed high heritability (h2) with large genetic gain (GA) for important traits contributing to yield, suggesting that the additive effects of genes were predominant. Correlation matrix and path coefficient analysis also revealed that the number of branches per plant (NBPP), fruit weight (FW) and fruit size traits were major determinants of yield with both direct and indirect effects. The integrated application of multivariate and genetic analyses enabled efficient identification of elite genotypes and key yield-associated traits. The identified superior genotypes may be further exploited in hybridisation and selection programmes for yield enhancement.