Evaluation of snakegourd genotypes for different seasons in the humid tropics

Abstract

Twenty diverse accessions of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.) collected from different parts of Kerala were evaluated during three seasons at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram. Remarkable variability for yield and yield attributes was noticed in all the seasons. The results of pooled analysis revealed that there is no significant difference between seasons for yield and fruit number while the genotypes differed significantly. But for fruit length and girth, there was no significant difference between genotypes, while difference over seasons was significant. The lowest pooled means for fruit length and girth was during summer. The average fruit weight and days to flowering showed significant variation among seasons and genotypes. TA 17 which recorded the highest yield and fruit number showed consistency in performance over seasons and can be recommended for commercial cultivation. Yield pattern for the harvest period of two months showed a gradual increase in yield per harvest from the first week which peaked in the fifth and sixth weeks and declined gradually thereafter.