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Plant Science Today (PST)

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Early Access

The Graphical analysis and numerical studies for yield components in sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem.)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14151
Submitted
20 February 2026
Published
02-07-2026
Versions

Abstract

Graphical (Wr–Vr) and numerical analyses were employed to determine the nature and magnitude of gene action governing yield and yield-related traits in sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem.) using a 10 × 10 half-diallel mating design (excluding reciprocals). The regression coefficient (b) deviated significantly from unity for 10 of 12 traits (t-test, Ho: b = 1; p < 0.05), indicating the presence of non-allelic interactions (epistasis) for most characters. The Wr–Vr graphical analysis revealed partial dominance for seven traits, including vine length (VL), number of branches per vine (NBV), fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), fruit weight (FW), fruits per vine (FV) and yield per vine (YV). Overdominance was observed for earliness-related traits (days to first female and male flowering and days to first harvest). Dominance variance components (H₁ and H₂) were significant for all 12 traits, confirming the prevalence of dominance effects. Additive genetic variance (D) was significant for most fruit and vegetative traits but not for days to female bud emergence, node to female bud emergence, first harvest days and FV. Narrow-sense heritability was low for most earliness traits (11.49 –18.99 %) but moderate to high for fruit-related traits (FL: 48.24 %; FD: 46.54 %; FW: 58.36 %). These findings indicate that heterosis breeding is the preferred strategy for earliness improvement, while selection in advanced generations can be effective for fruit and yield traits.

 

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