Performance of genotypes for yield and its contributing traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) under Godavari zone

The present investigation was undertaken during kharif 2018–19 in Augmented Block Design with an objective of evaluating twenty-nine bitter gourd genotypes for growth and yield traits in order to select desirable parents in breeding programme (heterosis breeding) for crop improvement. Observations were recorded for the traits viz., vine length (m), number of primary branches, intermodal length (cm), days to first male flower, days to first female flower, node at which first male flower appeared, node at which first female flower appeared, sex ratio, days to first harvest, number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit width (cm), fruit yield per vine (kg) and fruit yield per hectare (tons). Four genotypes IC 505637 (1.73 kg), IC 470553 (1.72 kg), IC 505621 (1.68 kg) and IC 50520 (1.66 kg) recorded statistically on par values with the highest yielding genotype Pusa Vishesh (1.89 kg per vine). The significant variation in yield per vine among genotypes was attributed due to sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, fruit length, fruit weight and fruit width. The genotype IC 505637 (1.73 kg) was found to record the highest fruit yield per vine due to highest average fruit weight (53.4 g) and minimum days taken for opening of male flower (36.30) and female flower (42.30). Genotypes having high per se performance for fruit yield per vine and their attributing traits are listed for their use in heterosis breeding. © 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research.