Genetic Variability, in Vitro Regeneration and Artificial Seed Production in Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes Dioica ROXB.)

Abstract

Pointed gourd is an under exploited important summer vegetable crop in Bangladesh. It is one of the most nutritive cucurbit vegetables holds a coveted position in the Bangladeshi market during summer and rainy season and available in the market up to the end of October beginning the lean period of vegetables. Being an important and nutritious vegetable, it fails to draw due attention of the scientific community to launch research initiative towards improvement The success of a crop improvement program largely depends on selection of desirable plants, which is possible if wide variation is present in the base population. Systematic characterization and evaluation of pointed gourd genotypes can be exploited to improve the genetic pattern for increasing yield potentialities through breeding. In these circumstances, 25 genotypes of pointed gourd were collected from different districts of the country 'to study· the variability present in morphological and agronomical traits of the genotypes on all possible genetic parameters in order to address their merits in the gene pool configuration and breeding program. In a study of genetic variability for fruit yield and its component characters 25 genotypes of pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb) were evaluate through genetic variance, heritability and genetic advance with the aim of obtaining information on the genetic architecture of the population. and also, to identify the best genotypes. Relationships between yield and yield contributing characters were studied in order to measure the magnitude of their association. In addition, to enhance breeding programmed genetic diversity was also studied to address the range of genetic divergence of the individual genotype.