Genetics and Cytomorphology of Luffa Interspecific Hybrids

Interspecific hybridization is useful to improve cultivated species by introgressing specific traits. The present investigation on interspecific hybrids of Luffa comprised of three genotypes of L. acutangula (ridge gourd); three genotypes of L. cylindrica (sponge gourd) and their six interspecific crosses. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences amongst families for all the traits except girth of ovary, vine length, internode length, fruit length and fruit yield. For most of the characters, significant average and better parent heterosis was observed. Amongst the various qualitative characters studied, the hybrids between ridge gourd and sponge gourds were intermediate to the parents for fruit surface and flower opening time. The outcome of the research has been discussed in relation to the phylogenic relationship of the species as well as for the use of crop improvement in Luffa. The only barrier to the direct utilization of interspecific hybrid as a commercial variety is the bitterness in the fruits. The backcross and F2 generation materials found promising for combining different useful traits of different species.