Analysis of Genetic Diversity among F4 segregating population of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

Seventeen breeding lines (ten F₄ segregants and seven parents) of bitter gourd were evaluated at Department of Vegetable Science, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, during late kharif, 2022. These genotypes were used for evaluation of 13 quantitative characters which were grouped into five different clusters through Tocher’s method of genetic divergence analysis. Cluster I consists of ten genotypes, Cluster II, III and IV comprising of two genotypes each, while cluster V included only one genotype. Highest intra cluster distance was found in cluster IV (17.14) while lowest in cluster II (8.70). The highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster III and V (26.18), followed by clusters I and V (25.06). For future breeding programme in bitter gourd, genotype of Cluster V should be selected for better vegetative growth, earliness in appearance of 1^st female flower and giving yield for longer duration. Similarly, Cluster III for earliness in appearance of 1^st male flower and more number of fruits vine^-1 while that of cluster II should be considered for getting high yield with less number of seeds fruits^-1. Seeds fruit^-1 (61.03%) contributed maximum towards divergence followed by fruits vine^-1 (12.50%).