Correlation and path analysis studies for yield and its attributes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine relationship between important traits of cucumber and their direct and indirect effects on yield. The relationships between fruit yield and yield components in cucumber genotypes were investigated as well as how those relationships changed with selection for improved fruit yield. Correlation studies revealed that yield per plot had positive and significant association with number of marketable fruits per plant, average fruit weight, harvest duration, seed germination and seed vigour index-I, while significant negative correlations were observed with node number bearing first female flower, days to marketable maturity, anthracnose and angular leaf spot, both at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed that severity of powdery mildewhad maximum positive direct effect on yield per plot followed by TSS, fruit length, average fruit weight, days to marketable maturity, number of marketable fruits per plant, seed vigour index-I, severity of anthracnose, harvest duration, fruit breadth, severity of angular leaf spot and seed vigour index-II. While, negative direct effect of seed germination and node number bearing first female flower was observed on yield per plot. Future breeding should focus on selecting the characters having direct effects to improve yield per plot.