Vol. 9, Special Issue 2, Part E (2025)

In spine gourds systemic research work to understand the genetic architecture and endeavor in an improvement programme is not known. On the other hand, the information on the genetic variability of the crop has not been exploited to the fullest extent possible and due to this, appreciable improvement has not been made in terms of yield and quality. There is need to improve its yield potential of the crop and make it more acceptable among the indigenous population. Eighteen promising spine gourd genotypes were obtained from various locations of Maharashtra and evaluated during kharif season of 2022-23. The experiment was set up in randomized block design replicated thrice with plant spacing of 1 m x 0.9 m. The higher values of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were recorded for the no. of primary branches plant^-1, no. of fruits plant^-1, fruit yield plant^-1, fruit yield plot^-1 and fruit yield ha^-1. The highest value of heritability was observed for total soluble solids followed by ascorbic acid, plant height, no. of primary branches plant^-1, fruit yield plot^-1, fruit yield plant^-1, internodal length, fruit yield ha^-1 and pedicel length. The higher values of genetic advance at percent of mean were shown for fruit yield ha^-1, fruit yield plant^-1, fruit yield plot^-1 and no. of fruits^-1 plant. High heritability along with high genetic advance at percent of mean for the fruit yield plant^-1, fruit yield plot^-1 and fruit yield ha^-1. High values of heritability and GA as percent of mean also indicated the additive gene effect regulating the inheritance of such characters therefore, these characters offer plenty of options for selection.