Morphological Evaluation and Yield Performance of Ash Gourd (Benincasa hispida) Genotypes

Abstract

The experimental site for the present investigation is was carried out at College of Horticulture, Bengaluru. Which is located in the southern part of India, at a latitude of approximately 12°58'N and longitude of 77°35'E, with an altitude of around 920 meters above mean sea level. The general climatic conditions of Bengaluru are classified as eastern dry zone. The main objective of this study was to evaluate morphological variability and yield potential of ash gourd genotypes thirty promising ash gourd genotypes were characterized for thirteen morphological traits using developmental, vegetative, and fruit traits. The experiment was carried out using randomized block design with 30 genotypes of ash gourd and two replications for the study of variability. The analysis of thirteeen traits across 30 genotypes revealed notable variation in performance. RP-1, KA-1, and KA-2 exhibited the longest vine lengths, indicating robust growth. IIHRAG-3 and IC392313 showed the highest branching potential, contributing to greater fruit production. KA-1, IIHRAG-4, had the longest internodal lengths. Early male and female flowering were observed in KA-4, IC613451, and IIHRAG-1, while delayed flowering was noted in KA-1 and RP-2. IC596993 and RP-3 showed early harvest, while IIHRAG 3 and IC596989 had later harvests. RP-1, Kashi Surbhi, and RP-3 had the highest fruit yields. IIHRAG-4, KA-4, and Kashi Surabhi also recorded the largest fruit diameters, heaviest average fruit weights, and the highest TSS, indicating commercial viability.