Estimation of Heterosis and Combining Ability for Quality Traits in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]

An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm, Maharajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur in kharif season of 2022 and 2023. The current study evaluated the performance of 23 bottle gourd genotypes, including 6 parental lines, their 15 diallel crosses, and 2 checks, focusing on their quality traits. Over two years of pooled data, genotype, JBG-4×JBG-5 was found to possess maximum TSS (3.93 °Brix), followed by JBG-2×JBG-4 (3.77 °Brix). JBG-4×JBG-5 was found to have maximum ascorbic acid content (14.48 mg 100-1 g) followed by JBG-4 (14.01 mg 100-1 g). Rind thickness was found maximum in JBG-2×JBG-4 (3.36 mm) followed by JBG-2×JBG-3 (3.28 mam). This study found a substantial association between the total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content with the yield of bottle gourd genotypes. Among the genotypes, JBG-4×JBG-5 demonstrated the highest yield per plant, along with the highest total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content. Regarding heterosis, JBG-4×JBG-5 has found the highest heterosis for total soluble solids and ascorbic acid content. JBG-4 and JBG-2 are the best general combiners for TSS, ascorbic acid content, and rind thickness. JBG-4×JBG-5 has found the best specific combiner for TSS and ascorbic acid content.