Correlation and path coefficient analysis for growth, yield and quality traits in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex. Poir)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with aims to assess the correlation and path coefficient analysis. The observations were recorded on parents and F1’s for twenty quantitative traits including six quality traits viz., node number to first male flower appearance, node number to first female flower appearance, days to first male flower anthesis, days to first female flower anthesis, days to first fruit harvest, vine length (m), inter nodal length (cm), number of primary branches per plant, fruit weight (kg), number of fruits per plant, equatorial circumference of fruit (cm), polar circumference of fruit (cm), flesh thickness (cm), fruit yield per plant (kg), and six quality/biochemical traits namely ascorbic acid, reducing sugars (%) non-reducing sugars (%), total sugars (%), dry matter content and total soluble solids. The most important trait fruit yield per plant had exhibited significant and positive phenotypic correlation with number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, total soluble solids, vine length, flesh thickness, ascorbic acid content, total sugars, number of primary branches per plant, equatorial circumference of fruit and negative significant association with days to first male flower anthesis, days to first female flower anthesis, days to first fruit harvest, inter nodal length and node number to first male flower appearance at phenotypic level. Analysis of path coefficient revealed that the highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant was exerted by number of fruit per plant followed by vine length at phenotypic level. Whereas, highest positive indirect effect exhibited on fruit yield per plant. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that there were significant differences for all the traits.