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Genetic variability and heritability were studied in 20 genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) to determine the magnitude of variability in the population and to identify genotypically diverse and economically desirable genotypes for utilization in crop improvement. The experiment carried out following Randomizing block design with three replication results indicated that high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were recorded for yield per vine (71.68), weight of fruit (39.17), seed weight per fruit (37.25),length of fruit (34.16), number of seeds per fruit (32.70) and internodal distance per vine (27.15) while, moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for number of fruits per vine (19.81), number of female flowers per vine (15.53)and days to marketable yield (5.05) indicating the extent of available genetic variability for these traits. High heritability along with high genetic advance observed for yield per vine (99.70), Weight of fruit (99.10), number of male flowers per plant(97.40),length of vine (96.00), number of seeds per fruit (91.80) and length of fruit (91.40)is indicative of additive gene action in control of these traits and phenotypic selection based on these traits in the segregating population is likely to yield desired individuals.
Keywords: Bitter gourd, Genetic advance, Genotypic & Phenotypic coefficient of variation, Heritability.