Genetics of Yield and Fruit Quality Traits in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

Utilization of genetic resources in crop breeding requires a basic understanding of the economic traits they are recognized for. Determination of genetics of traits helps to decide the appropriate breeding strategy for developing improved varieties. Segregating populations developed using Momordica charantia var. charantia and M. charantia var. muricate genotypes were used for generation mean analysis (GMA) to work out the gene effects controlling yield and fruit quality traits in bitter gourd. The study confirmed the role of non-allelic interactions and predominance of dominance gene effect (h) for most economic traits, which indicates the suitability of recurrent selection or heterosis breeding for the improvement of these traits. Segregation analysis indicated the single dominant gene control of fruit epicarp color, tubercle nature and fruit ridges. The predominance of complementary type of epistasis for most traits implies the genetic divergence between the parents used and the possibility of realizing a greater genetic gain in the breeding programme using these genetic resources.