Per se performance of parents with their derived F1s through L×T design of sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (Roem.)] under Varanasi conditions

The present experiment entitled Per se performance of parents with their derived F1s through L×T design of sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (Roem.)] under Varanasi conditions was conducted during the kharif of 2023 at the experimental farm of ICAR- Indian institute of vegetable research, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). The experiment was laid out into Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Ten lines viz., VRSG- 17-6, VRSG- 17 -15, VRSG- 17- 17, VRSG- 17-18, VRSG- 17-22, VRSG- 17-26, VRSG- 17-27, VRSG- 17-28, VRSG- 17-29 and VRSG- 17-31 five testers viz., DSG-6, DSG -7, VRSG-3-21 VRSG-17-16 and Kashi Kalyani and fifty hybrids developed through mating in line × tester were used in this experiment. The result of the study revealed that the maximum vine length was observed in VRSG-17-6 (4.20 m) by 75 DAS, while the minimum was recorded in VRSG-17-31 at 4.40 m. The number of primary branches peaked at 3.33 in VRSG-17-6, and secondary branches were highest in VRSG-17-17 (2.63). Days to first harvest were longest for VRSG-17-31 (48.50 DAS), with flesh thickness and fruit length maximized in VRSG-17-18 (32.37 mm) and VRSG-17-6 (18.90 cm), respectively. Average fruit weight was greatest in VRSG-17-15 (124.33 g), Quality parameters indicated that ascorbic acid content was highest in VRSG-17-18 (4.63 mg/100 g) and DSG-6 (5.30 mg/100 g). Total carotenoid content was highest in VRSG-17-31 (8.57 µg/g), with DSG-6 showing the least (9.20 µg/g). In terms of protein content, VRSG-17-6 exhibited the highest value (225.07 g/100 g), while DSG-6 led among testers (228.07 g/100 g). These findings highlight significant variations among lines and hybrids, offering insights for improving crop performance.