author(s)
Aashish Vivek Vaidya

abstract
This study
investigated GCV, PCV, ECV, Heritability, GA, and correlation analysis for 13
characters in calabash derived of the cross Pusa Samrudhi × DHARWAD BOTTLE
GOURD - 5 in the F4 generation. The traits including number of primary branches
per vine, number of fruits per vine, yield per vine, and average fruit weight
demonstrated considerable variability at both genotypic and phenotypic levels,
accompanied by high heritability and notable genetic advance as a percentage of
the mean. This indicates a predominant role of additive gene action, making
these traits amenable to improvement through straightforward selection
strategies. Yield per vine showed a strong and statistically significant
positive correlation with several other characters—such as sex ratio, node at
which the first female flower emerged, average fruit length, and fruit
diameters at the pedicel, central, and stylar regions—at both genotypic and
phenotypic levels. These associations highlight the importance of selecting for
traits like node position of the first female flower, fruit length, diameters
at various fruit positions, and fruit count per vine when aiming to enhance
overall yield performance.