Inheritance of white seed coat colour in sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.]

Abstract

Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica Roem.), also known as dishrag gourd, dishcloth gourd, loofah gourd, and smooth loofah is a very popular vegetable grown under low input condition in the tropical and subtropical regions. The other vernacular names of sponge gourd in India are kali tori, ghia tori, toria, nemia, chiori, dhundul, thuppa heera kayi, ghosali, gilka, bhol or tarada. It is an important component of cropping system during pre-kharif and kharif seasons in North Indian plain region as it has the ability to set fruits at extremely high temperature prevailing during May-June and is cultivated both on commercial scale and in kitchen gardens. The sponge gourd is grown in many parts of the world but is more common crop in China and other Asian countries. It is an annual plant, which produces fruits containing a fibrous vascular system.