Evaluation of f1 hybrids in snake gourd (trichosanthes anguina l.)

An investigation entitled “Evaluation of F1 hybrids in snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)” was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India. The parents from diversified genotypes and their hybrids in snake gourd were evaluated for fruit yield per plant, yield attributing characters and quality traits Based on the per se performance with specific trait and genetic divergence from different clusters, six genotypes namely P1–Hessaraghatta local (Bangalore, Karnataka), P2–Ottanchathiram local (Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu), P3–IC-212484, NBPGR, Trichur, P4–Michaelpalayam local (Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu), P5–PKM–1 (mutant variety, HC&RI, TNAU, Periyakulam), P6–Vellayani local (Kerala) were selected for crossing in full diallel programme. The analysis of variance indicated that the selected six parents and their 30 hybrids differed among themselves for all the eleven traits studied. Among the selected six genotypes, P4 and P2 were identified as the best parents. The parents P4 and P2 are suggested to be utilized for future varietal breeding programme. The hybrids P4xP5, P1xP3, P4xP2, P3xP4, P5xP2 and P2xP4 are suggested to heterosis breeding programme for commercial cultivation.