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

The present study was conducted to evaluate fifteen parents and their F₁ hybrids of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for important quality parameters including total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, vitamin C, and β-carotene content. Considerable variability was observed among the genotypes for all traits. Mean values of TSS ranged from 3.79 °Brix to 6.32 °Brix; ascorbic acid from 49.24 mg/100 g to 105.05 mg/100 g; chlorophyll from 0.50 mg/g to 1.37 mg/g; vitamin C from 50 mg/100 g to 107 mg/100 g; and β-carotene from 25 mg/100 g to 68 mg/100 g. Among the crosses, PUSA RASDAR × IC505630 exhibited the highest ascorbic acid and vitamin C content (105.05 mg/100 g and 107 mg/100 g respectively), while PUSA RASDAR × IC470546 recorded maximum β-carotene (68 mg/100 g). The cross PUSA VISHESH × IC116876 showed the highest TSS (6.32 °Brix). These findings revealed ample genetic diversity among parental lines and hybrids, indicating potential for selection and breeding of superior genotypes with improved nutritional quality.