Genetic Divergence Studies in Spine Gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.)

Spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.) is medicinally and economically important dioceious, perennial and under exploited vegetable crop. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family with chromosome number (2n = 28), under the genus Momordica. Spine gourds have not been taken up for systemic research work in order to understand the genetic architecture and endeavour in an improvement programme. On the other hand, for want of information on the genetic variability, the crop has not been exploited to the fullest extent possible and due to this, appreciable improvement has not been made in terms of yield and quality. Estimation of genetic parameters is needed to understand the genetic architecture of yield and yield contributing components. The success of any breeding programme depends upon the quantum of genetic variability for exploitation, genetic coefficient of variation, heritability estimates, genetic advance and correlations among different traits with the fruit yield. There is need to improve its yield potential of the crop and make it more acceptable among the indigenous population.