ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY, HERITABILITY AND GENETIC ADVANCE IN RIDGE GOURD (LUFFA ACUTANGULA L. ROXB.) GENOTYPES

Genetic variability and heritability of different characters were studied in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) with 38 genotypes.High degree of variation was observed with respect to all the characters studied.The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation were low as compared to phenotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters under study.The highest GCV and PCV was observed for number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, fruit length and fruit yield per vine.High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent over mean was observed for sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit yield per vine, indicating greater scope of improvement through selection.