Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part P (2025)

Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.; 2n = 2x = 26) is a nutritionally rich yet underexploited cucurbitaceous vegetable cultivated across 7.21 lakh hectares in India, primarily in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Haryana and Karnataka. The crop’s tender fruits are valued for their high moisture (93.2 g/100 g), protein (1.2 g), carbohydrates (2.9 g), carotene (120 mg), vitamins and minerals, while mature fruits and antioxidant compounds like luffin A and B contribute to medicinal uses. Despite its nutritional significance, sponge gourd has received limited breeding attention and systematic germplasm improvement efforts are lacking. The present study, conducted during 2025 at the College of Horticulture, Bagalkot (University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot) utilized an F₂ population derived from the hybrid cross KRCCH-3 × Samreen to evaluate genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for key growth, flowering, yield, and quality traits. Observations on vine length, branching, flowering behavior, fruit yield and total soluble solids were analyzed using genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV), broad-sense heritability (h²) and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM). Results indicated substantial variability within the F₂ population, with GCV values lower than PCV for all traits, suggesting environmental influence. High GCV and PCV were observed for node at first male flower appearance, while fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per vine and average fruit weight exhibited high heritability with high GAM, implying the predominance of additive gene effects and suitability for direct selection. In contrast, traits like days to flowering and harvest showed low GCV and GAM, indicating narrow variability and the necessity of hybridization or heterosis breeding for improvement. Overall, the study highlights significant genetic diversity in sponge gourd and identifies promising traits for effective selection and cultivar development. Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.; 2n = 2x = 26) is a nutritionally rich yet underexploited cucurbitaceous vegetable cultivated across 7.21 lakh hectares in India, primarily in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Haryana, and Karnataka. The crop’s tender fruits are valued for their high moisture (93.2 g/100 g), protein (1.2 g), carbohydrates (2.9 g), carotene (120 mg), vitamins, and minerals, while mature fruits and antioxidant compounds like luffin A and B contribute to medicinal uses. Despite its nutritional significance, sponge gourd has received limited breeding attention, and systematic germplasm improvement efforts are lacking. The present study, conducted during 2025 at the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, utilized an F₂ population derived from the hybrid cross KRCCH-3 × Samreen to evaluate genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for key growth, flowering, yield, and quality traits. Observations on vine length, branching, flowering behavior, fruit yield, and total soluble solids were analyzed using genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV), broad-sense heritability (h²), and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM). Results indicated substantial variability within the F₂ population, with GCV values lower than PCV for all traits, suggesting environmental influence. High GCV and PCV were observed for node at first male flower appearance, while fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per vine, and average fruit weight exhibited high heritability with high GAM, implying the predominance of additive gene effects and suitability for direct selection. In contrast, traits like days to flowering and harvest showed low GCV and GAM, indicating narrow variability and the necessity of hybridization or heterosis breeding for improvement. Overall, the study highlights significant genetic diversity in sponge gourd and identifies promising traits for effective selection and cultivar development.