Genetic Divergence in Ridge Gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.] for Growth, Earliness, Yield, Quality and Seed Parameters

摘要

In the present study 44 genotypes of ridge gourd collected from different places in the country were evaluated for growth, earliness, yield, quality and seed parameters and genetic diversity was measured among the genotypes through D~2 statistics. Seven clusters were formed. The cluster V was the largest, comprising of 18 genotypes . Intra-clus-ter distance revealed that cluster V with 18 genotypes showed maximum intra-cluster diversity (D~2 =992.649) and indicated that genotypes included in this cluster are very diverse. Based on distance between clusters, i.e., inter-cluster distances, the maximum divergence was observed between clusters I and VI (D~2 = 9848.6). Cluster II had the least inter -cluster distance (D~2 =118.897) with the cluster III.This indicated close relationship among the genotypes included in the clusters II and III. Fruit yield per plant was highest contributor of the diversity(40.69%) and the highest cluster mean for this trait was observed in the cluster VI (1404.4 g) followed by cluster V (69142 g). Diversity was also maximum (D~2 = 7518.292) between these clusters. Hence the crosses between genotypes of these clusters maybe tried for improvement of yield.