Vegetable Science (2014) 41(2) : 180-183
Combining ability analysis in bitter gourd using gynoecious lines
Anjali Shukla, AK Rai, DR Bharadwaj, Umesh Singh and Major Singh
Received : December, 2013 / Accepted : July, 2014
Abstract
Hybrid seed production in bitter melon is expensive because
of handpollination but the utilization of gynoecy is
economical and easier method for exploiting hybrid vigour
in bitter melon. An experiment (36 F1 and 15 parents) was
conducted during 2011 at Experimental Farm of Indian
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Institute of Vegetable, Varanasi on the combining ability in
3 gynoecious line 12 monoecious tester for thirteen
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quantitative characters in bitter gourd. Significant
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differences were observed for all characters. Mean square
due to GCA and SCA were highly significant for all the traits
studied to suggest the importance of both additive and non
additive gene effects. Gynoecious line Gy323was the best
combiner for all the traits except fruit diameter and seeds/
fruit, whereas monoecious line DRAL-4I was best general
combiner for first flower anthesis and internodal length as
they have made significant contribution in yield contributing
characters. The gynoecious combination Gy333 DRAL-
41, Gy323 DVBTG-7 and Gy323 VRBT- 904 exhibited
high SCAeffect for all traits in desired direction. The finding
of experiments confirmed the potentiality of gynoecious
based hybrids for high yield and earliness. These crosses
can be exploited as desirable hybrids.
Keywords: bitter gourd, line tester, combining ability,
gynoecious
Introduction
Bitter gourd (Momordicacharantia L., 2n=22) is an
important cucurbitaceous vegetable. It is known for its
antidiabetic, antihepaolxt, antioxidant, antimicrobial,
antiviral and other medicinal properties (Robinson and
Deckerwalters, 1997). Bitter gourd originated in Indo
Malayan region but has acclimatized widely in the old
and new worlds (Bates et al. 1995).
Anjali Shukla, D.R. Bharadwaj, Umesh Singh and Major Singh
Division of Crop Improvement, Indian Institute of Vegetable
Research, PB.- 01, Jakhini (Shahanshapur), Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh-221 305, India
A.K. Rai
Centre of Advanced Studies, Department of Botany, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221 005, India
The predominant sex form in bitter gourd is monoecious,
however, gynoecious sex form (only female flower in a
plant) has been reported from India, Japan and China
(Beheraet al.,2006 and Ram et al., 2002).Ram et al.
(2006)reported that gynoecy (gyl)was under control of
recessive gene, whereas Iwamoto and Ishida (2006)
reported gynoecious sex expression was partially
dominant. The gynoecious as one parent shows very
high percentage of pistillate flowers and have high yield
potential. Regardless of genetic control, both
studiessuggest that such gynoecious or predominantly
female lines hold promisefor the development of F 1
hybrids.
SCA effects have been extensively used in breeding
programme to identify the desirable parents and crosses
however this. In this paper an attempt has been made to
assess the combining abilities to determine the nature
and magnitude of genetic variance for yield and yield
contributing traits involvinggynoecious lines in bitter
gourd.
Materials and Methods
The experimental materials comprised threegynoecious
lines (Gy323, Gy333 and Gy2116) which were used as
females (designated as lines) and twelve monoecious
lines (DRAR-1, MC84, DVBTG-5, DARL-41, US6203,
VNR-22, PDM, VRBT-904, VRBT-903, DVBTG-7,
VRBT-100, DVBTG-1)which were used as males
(designated as testers) obtained from IIVR, Varanasi.
They were crossed in line tester mating design. The
complete set of 36 F1 and 15 parents were grown at
Experimental Farm of IIVR, Varanasi in a randomized
block design with three replications during rainy season
of 2011.
The crop was planted in rows2.5 mapart with spacing
of 45 cm between plants. All the recommended
agronomical practices along with plant protection
measures were followed to grown a successful crop.
In each replication ten plants in each population (Parents,
hybrid) were marked for observations.
 Vegetable Science, Vol. 41, July - December 2014 181

The observationswere recorded on thirteen characters
viz. first flower anthesis, plant height (cm), male flower
node, female flower node, internodal length (cm),
number of branches/plant, days to first picking, fruit
weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), fruits/
plant, seeds/fruit, yield/plant (g). The variances for
general and specific combining ability were tested against
their respective error variances derived from reduced
to mean level. Mean data was subjected to line tester
analysis following the procedure suggested by
Kempthorne (1957). Significance test for GCA and SCA
effects were performed using t- test.
indicating that these characters were governed. Hence
for the improvement of these traits,heterosis breeding
methods will be suitable by non-additive gene action.The
selected parental lines having better performance can
then be crossed in suitable combination to exploit
heterosis. The crosses showed high specific combining
ability (SCA) can be best utilized in heterosis breeding.
The estimate of GCA of a parent in the line tester is an
important indicator of its potential for generating superior
breeding populations.The gynoecious line taken in the
present study could be utilized for heterosis breeding
for high yield and earliness.

Result and Discussion The information regarding general combining ability

The analysis of variance revealed significant differences
among lines, testers and line testers interactions. The
significant differences among lines, testers and line
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effects of the parents is of prime importance, as it helps
in successful prediction of genetic potentiality of
crosses, which yield desirable individuals in segregating
populations of cross pollinated crops. Estimates of GCA

testers indicated that the genotypes had wide genetic effect showed that it was difficult to choose a good
diversity among themselves for all the traits combiner for all traits, as the combining ability effects
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exceptinternodal length. were not consistent for all the yield and quality traits
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Variance due to parent was partioned into line, tester simultaneously. It might be possible due to low negative
and line tester; lines showed significant variation/ association at different traits.
variance for first flower anthesis, days to first picking The positive and significant GCA effects were
and fruit diameter, whereas variance due to tester was considered desirable for plant height, female flower node,
significant for all traits except female flower node, days number of branches/plant, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit
to first picking, fruit length and seeds/fruit(Table 1). diameter, fruit/plant, seeds/fruit and yield/plant, whereas
The mean square due to line tester was significantly negative significant values for first flower anthesis, male
different for all the characters except male flower node flower node, node length and days to first picking were
indicating that testers showed markedly different desirable. On the basis of per se performance, VRBT-
combining ability for these traits.The mean square due 903 was one of the best parents for all the traits except
to testers was higher in comparison to lines and line fruit diameter and seeds/fruit, whereas DRAL-4I was
tester indicating the genetic diversity among the testers. one of the best general combiner for first flower anthesis
The relative variance due to GCA and SCAfor all the and internodal length.
traits studied, suggest the importance of both additive However in lines,Gy323 proved as best general
and nonadditive gene effects as the cause of observed combiner for flower anthesis, internodal length, days
variation for these traits. The variance due to specific to first picking, fruit weight, fruit length,fruit diameter
combining ability was found to be more than general and seeds/fruits, whereas Gy333 was good combiner
combining ability for all traits except first flower for late flower anthesis, plant height, fruit/plant and yield/
anthesis, male flower node and days to first picking plant, while no line showed best general combining
Table 1: Estimates of components of genetic variance and degree of dominance
Component FFA PH MFN FFN NL NBP DFP FW FL FD FP SF YP
2 Line 0.77 29.58 0.12 0.55 0.01 0.54 21.78 3.54 0.52 0.23 1.54 0.07 2853.41
2 Tester 5.62 5140.94 0.07 9.02 0.5 10.42 2.2 84.19 2.56 0.44 19.79 1.79 101547.62
2 gca 1.74 1051.85 0.11 2.24 0.1 2.51 17.87 19.67 0.93 0.27 5.19 0.41 22592.25
2 sca 1.62 3776.47 0.08 28.48 0.22 10.87 5.32 35.81 3.19 0.37 5.62 4.72 35369.39
2 A 3.48 2103.72 0.22 4.49 0.21 5.03 35.73 39.33 1.86 0.55 10.37 0.83 45184.5
2 D 1.62 3776.47 0.08 28.48 0.22 10.87 5.32 35.81 3.19 0.37 5.62 4.72 35369.31
2D
2A 0.68 1.34 0.61 2.52 1.05 1.47 0.39 0.95 1.31 0.82 0.74 2.39 0.88

FFA= First flower anthesis, PH= Plant height, MFN= Male flower node, FFN= Female flower node, NL= Internode length, NBP= Number of
Branches/plant, DFP= Days to first picking, FW= Fruit weight, FL= Fruit length, FD= Fruit diameter, FP= Fruits/plant, SF= Seeds/fruit, YP=
Yield/plant
 182 Shukla et al. : Combining ability analysis in bitter gourd

ability for male and female flowers node, branches/plant. Table 2:Bestparents,F1s, general combiners and specific
Besides, VRBT-903 and Gy333 showed high general combiner for yield and yield components
combining ability (GCA), hence, selection in advanced Best general
Components Best F1s with respect to SCA effects
combiners (GCA)
generations is also equally awarding for development DVBTG-1
of predominantly gynoecious cultivars by using this VNR-22
gynoecious line as female parent in bitter gourd. The FFA DRAL-41 Gy323PDM (highlow)
potentiality of gynoecious lines in term of yield and DRAR-1
Gy323
earliness was well recognized in cucumber and also in VRBT-903
Gy323DRAR-1 (low high)
this present study on bitter gourd (Deyet al., 2010). US6203
Gy323DVBTG-5 (low x low)
MC-84
Based on female flowers appearance, Gy323 was found PH Gy333VRBT-903 (low xhigh)
VRBT-100
Gy333 US6203 (low x high)
to be earliest. In tester DRAR-1 proved as a good DRAR-1
Gy2116 US6203 (low x low)
DVBTG-1
combiner for flower anthesis, male and female flower
MFN NIL Gy323DRAL-41(low x low)
node, fruit length and seeds/fruit, whereas DRAL-41 Gy2116VRBT-903 (low x high)
for plant height and internodal length. VRBT-903 was a Gy323DRAR-1 (low x high)
VRBT-903
good combiner for branches/plant, early picking, fruit/ FFN Gy323PDM (low x low)
DRAR-1
Gy333 VRBT-904 (low x low)
plant and yield/plant, whereas VNR-22 for fruit Gy333 US6203 (low x low)
diameter. On the basis of per se performance, Gy323, DRAL-41
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DRAL-41, VRBT-903 and DRAR-1 proved as a good NL VRBT-904 NIL

general combiner for nearby all the traits. The fruit PDM
Gy333VRBT-903 (low high)
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characteristics were also considerably better in all Gy323DVBTG-5 (low low)

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VRBT-903
thegynoecious hybrids; besides these line also showed Gy2116VRBT-903 (low high)
NBP MC-84
high general combining ability, hence selection in Gy323DRAR-1 (low low)
PDM
Gy323 DRAL-41 (low low)
advanced generation is also equally awarding for Gy333 PDM(low low)
development of predominantly gynoecious cultivars by Gy2116VRBT-903 (low high)
using gynoecious line as a female parent in bitter gourd VRBT-903 Gy2116DVBTG-5 (low low)
(Munshi and Sirohi, 1993). DFP Gy323 Gy333DRAR-1 (high low)
Gy333 Gy323VRBT-100 (high low)
The estimates of SCA effects revealed that the crosses Gy333DRAR-1 (high low)
Gy323US6203 (high high)
Gy333 DRAL-41, Gy333 VRBT-903, Gy323 US6203 Gy333VRBT-903 (low high)
DVBTG-1 and Gy323 PDM were promising cross VRBT-903 Gy323VRBT-904 (high low)
FW
combinations for early anthesis, picking, maturity and VRBT-100 Gy2116DRAR-1 (low low)
plant height. Although up to certain extant (Gy323 Gy323 Gy333DRAR-1 (low low)
Gy333VRBT-100 (low high)
DRAR-1)large plant height is a desirable trait for which DRAR-1 Gy333VRBT-903 (low high)
breeders may select the specific combinations. FL US6203 Gy323PDM (low low)
VRBT-903 Gy2116DRAR-1 (low high)
The F 1 combinations showing highest significant VNR-22 Gy 323PDM (high high)
desirable SCA effect for various traits, in whichGy333 PDM Gy333DRAL-41(low low)
DRAL-41 was the best F1s for fruit diameter fruits/ FD DVBTG-5 Gy323US6203(high low)
VRBT-100 Gy333VNR-22(low high)
plant, seeds/fruit and yield/plant, whereas Gy333 Gy323 Gy2116DVBTG-7 (low low)
VRBT-903 was the best specific cross combination for VRBT-903 Gy333DRAL-41 (high high)
plant height, number of branches/plant,fruit weight and DRAL-41 Gy323VRBT-904 (low low)
FP
VNR-22 Gy323DVBTG-7 (low low)
fruit length, Gy2116 VRBT-903 for days to first Gy333 Gy323US6203 (low low)
picking andfemale flower node, Gy333 PDM was the Gy323DVBTG-5 (low low)
best combination for female flower anthesis, whereas VRBT-904
Gy323VNR-22 (low low)
Gy323 DRAL-41 was the best combination for male Gy333DRAL-41(low low)
SF US6203
Gy2116VRBT-903 (low low)
flower node (Table 2). For different yield component MC-84
GY333DVBTG-1(low low)
Gy323 US-6203 and Gy333 VRBT-903 expressed Gy323DRAR-1 (low low)
good SCA effects and include as high high combiners. VRBT-903 Gy323US6203 (low high)
US6203 Gy323VRBT-904 (low low)
Most of the crosses including high low and low YP
VRBT-100 Gy333VRBT-903 (high high)
high type of general combiners. The top performing Gy333 Gy333DRAL-41(high low)
hybrids for yield per plant showed significant higher FFA= First flower anthesis, PH= Plant height, MFN= Male flower
SCA effects for yield contributing traits which node, FFN= Female flower node, NL= Node length, NBP= Number
of Branches/plant, DFP= Days to first picking, FW= Fruit weight,
culminated into higher yield except internodal length.
FL= Fruit length, FD= Fruit diameter, FP= Fruits/plant, SF= Seeds/
Among allcrosses, the gynoecious line Gy323 and fruit, YP= Yield/plant
 Vegetable Science, Vol. 41, July - December 2014
monoecious line DRAL-41 was proved to be good
combiner and it exhibited highest significant GCA effect
and SCA effects with most of the parents. The above
discussions revealed that crosses Gy333 DRAL-41,
Gy323 DVBTG-7 and Gy323 VRBT-904 showed
best SCA effect.The results are in accordance with
reports of Sirohi and Chaudhary (1978). Further,
Kennedy (1994) reported involvement of high high
and low high combinations for development of
promising hybrids.
The concept of general combing ability (GCA) and
specific combining ability (SCA) have been extensively
used in hybrid breeding. Evaluation of parents for
combining ability also permits an indication of other
relative magnitude of additive or non-additive variance
for the character under study. The significance of GCA
and SCA variances in the present study indicated the
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role of additive (for selection) as well as non-additive
gene action (for heterosis breeding) for the control of
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yield and earliness in bitter gourd by utilizing the
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gynoecious line as one of the parents.
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