Studies on Qualitative Traits of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) Germplasm from Assam

Abstract

This study characterized qualitative variation among thirty-three sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) genotypes collected from different parts of Assam, including the improved variety Pusa Sneha as a check. The investigation was conducted at the farm site of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jorhat, Assam Agricultural University, during 2017 and 2018 using a randomized block design with two replications. Qualitative characters were recorded through descriptor-based visual observations at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. All genotypes exhibited angular stems, dentate leaf margins, yellow flowers, monoecious sex type, low dorsal and ventral leaf pubescence, and white flesh, indicating monomorphism for these characters. Variation was observed in leaf shape, leaf size, leaf lobes, blossom-end fruit shape, stem-end fruit shape, fruit shape, fruit ribs, fruit colour, fruit skin texture, flesh flavour, flesh taste and skin hardness. Orbicular leaf shape was most frequent, followed by reniform and ovate types. Fruit shape included elliptical, elongate elliptical, elongate tapered and elongate slim forms, while fruit colour comprised green, light green and dark green classes. Most genotypes had smooth fruit skin and sweet flesh taste, whereas a few showed intermediate or insipid characteristics. SGG15 and SGG32 were aromatic with Joha flavour. The observed qualitative diversity provides useful phenotypic information for germplasm identification, classification and selection of sponge gourd genotypes for future crop improvement programmes.