Evaluation Trial of IVY Gourd (Coccinia grandis L.) Varieties in Prayagraj Agro Climatic Condition

Abstract

The current trial on commenced in February 2023 at the Horticulture Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This experiment employed a Random Block Design (RBD) with seven varieties replicated three times. The varieties, namely V₁ (Arka Neelachal Khunki), V₂ (Arka Neelachal Sabuja), V₃ (Local Geda), V₄ (Local Denga), V₅ (Surekha), V₆ (CHIV-8), and V₇ (CHIV-9), were assessed based on various growth, yield, and quality parameters. These parameters included vine length, petiole length, appearance of the first female flower anthesis, internode length, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield in tonnes per hectare, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid content, fruit shape, and colour. From the different parameters it was concluded that all the seven varieties showed significant performance in almost all the characters. The variety V₂, Arka Neelachal Sabuja, exhibited superior characteristics in various parameters, including vine length (310.66 cm), internode length (12.71 cm), fruit length (6.11 cm), average fruit weight (21.07g), number of fruits per plant (422), number of seeds per fruit (122), fruit yield per plant (8.53 kg), fruit yield per hectare (17.36t/ha), total soluble solids (TSS - 4.31), and had the minimum days taken for the first female flower anthesis (32.67 days). It featured an ovoid-shaped fruit with dark green fractured strips. On the other hand, variety V₁, Arka Neelachal Khunki, demonstrated maximum petiole length (8.03 cm) and ascorbic acid content (15.30 mg/100g of fruit pulp). The fruit was uniform and cylindrical in shape with light green colour and white stripes.