Microbiology and Biotechnology Research: An Overview Vol. 7

Snake gourd is one of the edible crop plants of the genus Trichosanthes, which is reported to be the largest genus of the Cucurbitaceae family. This is an important vegetable crop in India, and it has captured a prominent position among the vegetables due to its year-round cultivation, export potential and nutritive value. Developing high-yielding and well-adapted snake gourd cultivars is essential to meet the growing demands of a rising global population. This study was carried out using a line × tester mating design to assess the combining ability and genetic potential of diverse snake gourd lines for key morphological characteristics. The objective was to identify superior parental combinations and promising F₁ hybrids with high specific combining ability (SCA) for further breeding programmes. A set of seven diverse snake gourd lines was crossed with two well-adapted testers. The resulting F₁ hybrids, along with their parental lines, were evaluated for morphological traits, including growth parameters, flowering parameters, fruit parameters and biochemical parameters. The general combining ability and specific combining ability analyses were performed using INDOSTAT 2.0 statistical software. Data analysis revealed significant differences among genotypes for all evaluated traits. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were estimated, and promising lines and hybrid combinations exhibiting high GCA and SCA for desirable traits were identified. The findings revealed that PKM 1, Siddapur Local and Tenali Local are among the most promising parents for overall trait performance. The crosses Tenali Local × PKM 1, Banswada Local × PKM 1, Raikur Local × PKM 1 and IC202160 × PKM 1 emerged as superior hybrids for yield, displaying significant specific combining. The results of this study provide useful information on the genetic control of morphological traits in snake gourd and confirm that the line × tester analysis is an effective tool for identifying superior parental combinations for breeding programmes aimed at developing improved snake gourd cultivars with enhanced agronomic performance.