Evaluation of Spine Gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb) Genotypes for Yield, Quality Traits and Adaptability in Assam, India

Fifteen genotypes of Spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.) including one local cultivar SpG 09-04 as check (LC) maintained at the Department of Horticulture were used for the study. The purpose of the study was to identify genotypes with good chemical constituent for Yield, Quality Traits, Adaptability and medicinal properties. The experiment was conducted following 3 RBD at Horticulture Research Farm, AAU, Jorhat consecutively for three years. The analysis of variance done for each station trial revealed significant differences among the genotypes for fruit yield and contributing traits. Three genotypes significantly better than the local check were subjected to multilocation trial (MLT) at research centres located in 5 agro climatic zones of Assam. Among all genotypes, GB 09-16-1 and GB 09-18-8 were found to be better for fruit yield and contributing traitsthan GB 09-01 as standard check (SC) and GB 09-04 (LC),. The mean fruit yield in the station trials was 131.4 q/ha in GB 09-16-1 and 131.6 q/ha in GB 09-18-08 which were around 24% higher than the standard check SpG 09-01. Number of fruits per plant was 24 in GB 09-16-1, 23 in GB 09-18-08 as compared to 22 in SpG 09-01. Multilocation trials exhibited average fruit yield of 130.6 q/ha in GB 09-16-1 and 136.2 q/ha in GB 09-18-08 which was about 24 – 30% higher than SpG 09-01 (SC). The results were confirmed in the OFTs conducted in 12 farmers’ fields located in 4 districts of Assam. The edible fruits were getting ready for harvesting in 69 days in GB 09-16-1; 77 days in GB 09-18-08 and 72 days in SpG 09-01 after planting. The genotypes GB 09-16-01 and SpG 09-01 were regarded as early, GB 09-18-08 as mid late and SpG 09-04 (LC) as late. GB 09-16-01 was having good amount of calcium (2 mg/100 g) and TSS content (5.5%) whereas GB 09-18-08 was having good amount of phosphorus (34.5 mg/100 g) and TSS content (5.4%). They were found to be tolerant to leaf spot and aphids as compared to the check varieties. The fruits of these varieties were very tasty and the consumer preference was very high. The fruit colour was light green in both GB 09-16-1 and SpG 09-01, whereas dark green in GB 09-18-08. The fruits were spindle shaped in GB 09-16-1, oval shaped in GB 09-18-08 and almost round in SpG 09-01. They have been recommended for large scale cultivation by the farmers of Assam. They may be useful for scientific communities also for further studies at molecular level and on seed production aspects. Multiplication testing through Coordinated trials need to be conducted which may be supplemented with conservation of germplasm and DNA fingerprinting at NBPGR, New Delhi in order to prevent varietal piracy.