Performance of Different Hybrids of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) in Terms of Growth, Yield and Quality, Under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during the year 2023-24 with a view to check the performance of different hybrids of sponge gourd in terms of growth, yield and quality under Prayagrajagro climatic condition. The experiment was laid in a randomized block design having 8 hybrids with three replications. Hybrids comprised of AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-1, AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-2, AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-3, AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-4, AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-5, AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-6, AVT-II 2020/SPGHYB-7 and GENNEXT Ayushi. The result from the present investigation revealed that among the different hybrids GENNEXT Ayushi performs superior in terms of growth parameters like early germination, maximum vine length also best in flowering parameters like earliness in flowering and maturity, maximum numbers of female flowers, maximum length of fruit, highest fruit yield/ha, quality parameters like high vit-c content, high TSS (Total Soluble Solid) content having dark green colour of fruit. In terms of economics, the best benefit cost ratio was also obtained by GENNEXT Ayushi hybrid with high returns.