Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in ash gourd [Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn.] for yield and yield contributing traits

The present investigation was carried out with 45 genotypes of ash gourd [Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn. To estimate variability, heritability and genetic advance over mean for fruit yield and yield component characters. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for almost all the characters. High genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for, vine length (m), number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight (kg), number of seeds per fruit. Which indicate that there exists high genetic variability and better scope for improvement of these characters through selection. The characters vine length (m), number of primary branches, internodal length (cm), number of male flower, number of female flower, sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, fruit length, fruit circumference, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight (g), fruit yield per vine (kg), TSS, yield/h had high heritability coupled with high genetic advance suggesting improvement of those characters through selection due to additive gene action. In the present study high heritability and low genetic advance was noted for days to first male flower, days to first female flower, days to first harvest and moisture content indicating dominant gene action.