Effect of different doses of chemical and physical mutagen on genetic variability and character association in M1 and M2 generation of Momordical balsamina L.

Abstract

Abstract Momordica balsamina L. commonly known as the Balsam apple is an under-exploited cucurbit vegetable occurs wild type in nature which offers various dietary and nutraceutical properties. It is an annual to perennial, tendril-bearing herb, native to tropical regions of Africa. Since the crop occurs in wild forms, the variation exists among the genotype is limited. For the improvement of plant characteristics in diverse crops, mutation breeding has been extensively applied. In the present study, treated population was evaluated to study the extent of genetic variability and character association on growth and yield parameters in M1 and M2 generation of Momordica balsamina L. The results revealed that high heritability was exhibited by vine length at harvest, number of branches per plant at harvest, stem diameter, leaf area, number of fruits per plant, fruit girth, lycopene content, β-carotene content and ascorbic acid content. As per the character association studies, fruit yield per plant showed highly significant and positive association with number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length and days to first flowering. Whereas, highly significant but negative association was revealed by number of branches per plant at harvest, stem diameter and days to 50 per cent flowering among mutant population. Whereas, vine length at harvest, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit girth recorded highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant. While, number of branches per plant at harvest, stem diameter and days to 50 per cent flowering exerted negative direct effect on fruit yield per plant.