Heterosis study in ridge gourd (Luffa Acutangula (Roxb.) L.)

The heterosis study for fruit yield and its attributes was carried out in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L.) through 8 x 8 diallel mating design (excluding reciprocal). The magnitude of heterotic effects was high for fruit yield per vine (kg) and number of fruits per vine. No heterosis was observed for fruit length and it was low to moderate for rest of the traits. The highest, positive and significant standard heterosis for fruit yield per vine and some of its component traits were recorded in the crosses, Pusa Nasdar x JRG-05-6, Pusa Nasdar x JRG-05-4, JRG-05-4 x ARGS-05-31, Pusa Nasdar x Jaipur Long and JRG-05-4 x ARGS-07-41. Such crosses could be exploited for practical plant breeding programme in ridge gourd.