Morphological and Biochemical Characterization of Snake Gourd Genotypes under Foothill Conditions of Nagaland

The present study was conducted to assess the morphological and biochemical variability of twenty-five snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina) genotypes under the foothill conditions of Nagaland to identify superior types for varietal improvement. Field trials were conducted during 2022 and 2023 at Medziphema, Nagaland University, using a randomized block design with three replications. Morphological characterization showed uniformity in stem shape (angular), tendril type (coiled), fruit pubescence and waxiness, while moderate variation were observed in leaf shape (cordate, reniform, orbicular), lobing (3-7 lobes), fruit shape (elongate slightly curved-52%, elongate-40%, oblong-8%), fruit colour (light green- 40%, dark green-28%, medium green-24%, white-8%) and stripe pattern (distinct-52%, diffused-40%, absent-8%). Biochemical analysis revealed significant variation in total soluble solids (3.21-5.08 °Brix), vitamin C (3.92-5.91 mg/100 g), moisture content (90.47-94.31%), carbohydrate content (3.45-4.98 %), crude protein (0.50-0.79%) and dry matter (5.70 - 9.53 %), while shelf life range from 9.27 to 15.37 days. Genotype-1, Genotype-6, Genotype-7, Genotype-15 and Genotype-16 were identified as the most promising owing to their superior nutritional quality and extended storage potential. These results confirm significant exploitable genetic diversity for breeding high-yielding, nutritionally rich and market preferred snake gourd cultivars suited to Nagaland and similar agro-climatic regions.