Genetic estimates for growth, yield and quality traits in F3 families of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The present investigation was conducted to assess the genetic variability for growth, yield and quality traits in three F3 families of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.) which were derived from the cross KRCCH-3 × Samreen. The experiment was carried out during Rabi 2025–26 (October 2025 to March 2026) at the experimental field of the College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka. Three F3 families comprising 100 plants each were evaluated in an augmented block design with four check varieties in five blocks. Thirteen quantitative traits were recorded, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), broad-sense heritability and genetic advance over a percentage of mean were estimated. Considerable variations were observed among the families for several traits. Average fruit weight exhibited the highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation in Family I, whereas, number of primary branches showed the highest variability in Family II. In Family III, fruit yield per vine and sponge yield exhibited comparatively high variability. Broad-sense heritability was high for most of the traits, although exceptions were observed for certain characters in individual families. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of mean was observed for important yield-associated traits, particularly average fruit weight, number of primary branches and fruit yield per vine, with differences among families. These findings indicated the presence of useful genetic variability in the three F3 families and suggested that family-specific selection could be useful for improving growth, yield and quality attributes in sponge gourd.
Institution: University of Horticultural Sciences Bagalkote
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225337334