Inheritance of male sterility and presence of dominant fertility restorer gene in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L.)

► In vitro regenerated male sterile (MS) mutant was crossed with five pollen parents. ► Crosses with CO 2, Deepthi, IC-92685 and IC-92671 were male sterile. ► Partially fertile cross, MS × Arka Sumeet was selfed to generate F2 population. ► Male sterility in ridge gourd is governed by cytoplasmic genes. ► Complementary action of 2 nuclear genes (Rf1 and Rf2) regained male fertility.