Variation in Flowering Characters of Bottle Gourd

Selection for early maturing and high yielding genotypes is desirable which in monoecious crops depend on expression of flowering characters. A study was undertaken to understand flowering behaviour of 27 genotypes of bottle gourd that would help to assume the conversion of flowers into fruits. The field experiment was carried out late in rainy season of 2013 at Horticulture Farm of Visva-Bharati University and observations were recorded for various flowering characters. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for node number of first male and female flower, days to first male and female flower opening, number of male flowers per vine, number of female flowers per vine and sex ratio. The values of flowering characters ranged for node number of first male flower (5.67-13.20), node number of first female flower (7.80-14.87), first male flower opening (50.30-82.00 days), first female flower opening (53.33-87.50 days), sex ratio (4.73-14.87), number of male flowers (38.30-90.17) and number of female flowers (3.00-14.70) Out of 27 genotypes, APBG-3 was identified as an early bearer genotype which produced male and female flower at earlier nodes on about 50 and 53 days after sowing, respectively. Surabhi recorded the lowest sex ratio but maximum female flowers in number were recorded with Kundan that can be expected to produce higher yields than others.