New hybrid sponge gourd varieties promise higher yields for farmers.
The researchers studied 40 hybrids of sponge gourd to see how they performed in terms of yield and related traits. They found that some hybrids showed significant and positive improvements in fruit yield compared to the parent plants. The best hybrids for yield improvement were NDSG-10 × NDSG-12, NDSG-10 × NDSG-15, and NDSG-4 × Pusa Chikni. Overall, the study suggests that breeding for heterosis can help improve yield and related traits in sponge gourd.