Evaluation of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrical L.) Inbred Lines for Growth Potential and Fruit Quality in Thua Thien Hue Province, Central Vietnam

Plants which contain unisexual flowers are subjected to genetic degradation and yield capacity reduction due to the easily cross-pollination. Sponge gourd, one of species of the Cucurbitaceae which is predominantly cross-pollinating, is cultivated to widely use as vegetable in Vietnamese daily meals. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the growth potential and fruit quality including fruit aroma of sponge gourd inbred lines. Pure line selection has been performed using self-pollinated method, so that sponge gourd lines would be recovered with high yielding and aroma and thereby recommended for further crop system in Thua Thien Hue province, Central Vietnam. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during the winter-spring season in 2017. Agronomical data were observed and analyzed on seven inbred lines (1-MN1, 1-MN2, 5-MN1, 7-MN1, 13-MN2, 15-MN1 and 15-MN2) derived from B29 accession (GBVN006904). The results indicated that inbred lines 13-MN2, 1-MN2 and 15-MN1 attained more highly fruit weight and yield compared to the others. Four inbred lines consisting of 5-MN1, 7-MN1, 15-MN1 and 15-MN2 still retained the light aroma after boiling. The inbred lines 1-MN2, 7-MN1, 13-MN2 and 15MN1 are considered for appropriately using in breeding program of new luffa.