Genetic divergence in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) under undulating topography of Tripura

Genetic divergence among nine genotypes of Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for fifteen important yield attributing traits and one qualitative trait was studied under the undulating topography of Tripura using multivariate analysis. The genotypes were logically grouped into three clusters on the basis of divergence analysis. The grouping pattern of genotypes indicated no direct relationship between geographical distribution and genetic distance. High inter cluster distance between cluster II and cluster III suggesting that the genotypes belonging to cluster II and cluster III will be taken in hybridization programme for evolving a good hybrid or segregate. Among the characters, vine length contributed the maximum divergence towards total genetic divergence followed by primary branches per plant, Internodal length, days to 1st male flower and days to 1st female flower. Five out of 16 characters had eigenvalue more than 1 and together accounted for 100% of total variation. Based on D2 statistics, principal component analysis and average values, two genotypes namely, Malda local and Pusa Do Mousumi possessed distinct differences of their genotypic characters and optimum combinations of all variables which could be used as parents in hybridization programme for the development of high yielding brinjal variety.