Multivariate analysis for nutritional composition, phytochemical contents, yield and yield contributing characters in underutilized cucurbit sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.]

Sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.] is one of the minor important cultivated vegetable and medicinal plant in the family cucurbitaceae. The present investigation was undertaken to study the multivariate analysis in 40 sponge gourd genotypes for 32 different parameters. The parameters like fruit yield/plant, fruit yield/plot, fruit yield/hectare, number of seeds per fruit, and vitamin C content found to have high heritability along with high selection gain, which implies that these traits are governed by additive gene effects and are more suitable for efficient selection for further breeding programme. Principle component analysis and biplot analysis showed that how these traits associated to each other. The genotypes were classified into three main clusters based on the results of the cluster analysis; more number of genotypes were present in cluster II (17) followed by cluster I (13) and III (10). The results from the Multi-Trait Genotype–Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) indicated that the genotypes, G6, G24, G11, G22, G16, and G33 selected for yield and yield attributes, on the other hand the genotypes, G29, G5, G15, G18, G17, and G36 were identified for quality traits, which provides valuable insights into identifying potential high yield and nutritional rich genotypes, which can be further used as a parent in hybridization programme to improve quality traits.