Estimates of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield component traits in ash gourd [Benincasa hispida (Cogn.)] genotypes

Twenty-five diverse genotypes of ash gourd were evaluated to estimate variability, heritability and genetic advance over mean for fruit yield and yield component characters.  Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for almost all the characters. High genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for fruits per plant, mean fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit length, fruit girth and flesh thickness, which indicate that there exists high genetic variability and better scope for improvement of these characters through selection. The characters node to male flower, vine length, fruits per plant, mean fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, flesh thickness, 100-seed weight, seeds per fruit and dry matter content had high heritability coupled with high genetic advance suggesting improvement of those characters through selection due to additive gene action. In the present study high heritability and low genetic advance was noted for days to first male and female flower indicating dominant gene action.