FLORAL BIOLOGY OF SNAKE GOURD (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.)

Abstract

Floral biology and yield performance of different snake gourd (Tricosanthes cucumerina L.) genotypes were investigated to develop high quality and yielding variety (ies). There were differences between the snake gourd genotypes in respect of floral biology and yield potentiality. Size of the female flowers were larger than the male flowers. At 13" to 18" node in acropetal order, male flowers appeared within 32 to 35 days and at 23" to 35" node, whereas female flowers appeared within 35 to 45 days. Thirty six to thirty eight days needed to open the male flower and 39 to 49 days required for the female flower after transplanting. Starting of the anthesis occurred within 7 to 8 pm in male flowers and required 19 to 33 minutes for full blooming. The anthesis of the female flower started from 7 pm to 8 pm and completed their full blooming within a range of 80 to 124 minutes.