Abstract: Combining ability and stability analysis for six traits was performed in 45 bitter gourd hybrids derived from a 10 x 10 diallel analysis. The analysis revealed that both additive as well as non-additive gene action were important for all the characters. However, non-additive gene action was predominant for all the traits, except for girth of fruits and number of seeds/fruits. BG-14 was observed to be the best general combiner for yield/vine and most of the other quantitative traits. Among the crosses, Udaipur Local x BG-14 and NBPGR/TCR-727 x Jaunpuri Long showed the highest SCA effects as well as stability in their performance making them suitable for a heterosis breeding programme.
