Heterosis, Combining Ability and Gene Action in Bottle Gourd

The genetic basis of yield and its components were studied using a diallel cross techniques according to Griffing's Method 2, Model 1 in 2011.Significant mean squares due to genotypes, parents, hybrids and parents vs. hybrids were observed for all the traits except for days to first pistillate flower anthesis and fruit weight (kg) only due to parents vs hybrids. Crosses P3 x P6 and P3 x P7 were the two best heterotic F's over better parent (46.34 %, 45.76 %) and standard parent Pusa Naveen (42.83 %, 39.81 %), respectively and also beared very good fruit shape. The estimates of gca and sca variances were significant indicating importance of additive and non additive gene actions for all the traits. Significant gca and sca effects were observed for all the traits which also evidenced close association with per se performance. NDBG-601 (P5) was found as the best combiner for earliness, number of fruits and fruit yield per plant. Additive and non additive gene actions with over mean degree of dominance indicated predominant role of non additive gene action in the inheritance of most of the traits. Thus, heterosis breeding method may be more rewarding for improvement in bottle gourd.