To study the per se performance and combining ability of 30 crosses evolved through diallel mating system using six diverse genotypes. This experiment was conducted at Department of Horticulture, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal during 2023. Analysis of variances for diallel mating design revealed that variance due to treatments were highly significant for all the traits. Among 30 crosses, Pusa Sneha × Kashi Shreya recorded the highest mean value for fruit yield. Combining ability studies revealed that mean square due to GCA and SCA were significant indicated that both additive and non-additive type of gene effects played an important role in the inheritance of all these traits under study with preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the traits except number of primary branches vine-1, number of nodes vine-1, sex ratio, days to first fruit harvest and crude fibre. The parents Kashi Shreya (P4), Pusa Sneha (P2) and Kashi Rakshita (P5) were the best general combiners for fruit yield and some of the yield contributing characters. The three cross combinations viz., Pusa Sneha × Pusa Supriya, Kashi Shreya× Pusa Supriya and Pusa Chikni × Kashi Rakshita were found to be good specific combiners for fruit yield per vine.

Per se, diallel, sponge gourd, general combining ability, specific combining ability

Based on mean performance, the best hybrid combinations were Pusa Sneha × Kashi Shreya (P2 × P4) followed by Pusa Supriya × Kashi Shreya (P6 × P4) and Pusa Supriya × Pusa Sneha (P6 × P2) in terms of yield and yield component traits in the order of merit. An overview of per se performance and gca effects of parents for yield per vine and other yield components revealed that the parents Kashi Shreya (P4) and Pusa Sneha (P2) can be selected as desirable parents for the breeding programme. The selection of hybrids based on sca effects resulted in the identification of the hybrids Pusa Sneha × Pusa Supriya (P2 × P6), Pusa Chikni × Kashi Rakshita (P3 × P5), Kashi Shreya × Pusa Supriya (P4 × P6), Kashi Shreya × Kashi Rakshita (P4 × P5), Pusa Sneha × Kashi Shreya (P2 × P4) and Kashi Rakshita × Pusa Sneha (P5 × P2) which had superior sca effects for majority of growth and yield attributing characters. Though, these cross combinations may be utilized for commercial cultivation as hybrids after critical evaluation in varied environments or over locations. These could be used in future crossing Programme. The preponderance of non-additive gene action for most of the traits suggested that heterosis breeding approach might be more rewarding than selection.

Kalpana A., Kanthaswamy V., Marichamy M.S., Krishnan V. and Manikandan M. (2023). Studies on per se Performance and Combining Ability Analysis in Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica(L.) Roem.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 149-156.