The present experiment was conducted to estimate the heterosis of 45 hybrids in bottle gourd during 2020–2021 in three environments at the open field of Hi-tech unit, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan). Hybrid showed highest magnitude of significant relative heterosis -4.32% (P3 × P8), heterobeltiosis -1.98% (P4 × P6 standard heterosis P4 × P6 (-5.29%) in desirable direction on pooled basis. Maximum number of branches per vine, the significant positive relative heterosis (35.20%), heterobeltiosis (34.55%) and economic heterosis (12.19%) on pooled basis was observed by the hybrid P5 × P7. Highest positive and significant relative heterosis for fruit diameter on pooled basis was observed by the hybrid P2 × P3 (17.09%), whereas hybrid P1 × P2 (15.53%) showed maximum heterobeltiosis and hybrids P7 × P10 (80.27%) exhibited significant positive economic heterosis for this trait. The hybrid P8 × P10 exhibited highest significant relative heterosis (36.07%) and heterobeltiosis (32.21%), whereas hybrids P1 × P9 expressed maximum significant economic heterosis (17.97%) for rind thickness on pooled basis. Significant positive relative heterosis (18.12%) and heterobeltiosis (17.49%) on pooled basis was observed by the hybrid P1 × P2, whereas hybrid P7 × P10 exhibited significant positive economic heterosis (86.61%) for flesh thickness on pooled basis. Maximum yield per square meter, the significant positive relative heterosis (56.83%) and heterobeltiosis (49.60%) on pooled basis were observed by the hybrid P6 × P9. The top five F1 hybrids showed highest economic heterosis for yield per square meter were P7 × P8 (39.26%), P6 × P9 (36.99%), P6 × P8 (35.66%), P4 × P10 (30.98%) and P4 × P7 (30.96%). The most difficult bottle gourd challenges are proper pollination, fertilization, and fruit development because fruit begins to grow but does not set seeds after pollination and fertilization. As a result, proper fertilization is required for good seed set.

Bottle gourd, Heterobeltiosis, Economic heterosis, Yield, Hybrids

On the basis of high economic heterosis for yield per square meter cross combination P7 × P8 (39.26%), P6 × P9 (36.99%), P6 × P8 (35.66%), P4 × P10 (30.98%) and P4 × P7 (30.96%) can be exploit for improvement in yield of bottle gourd.

Mohan Singh, Kapil Dev Ameta, Ram Avtar Kaushik, R.B. Dubey, Pushpendra Singh, K.S. Rajawat and Sunita Koodi (2022). Estimation of heterosis in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 225-231.