Genetic relationship of growth and development traits with fruit yield in F2 population of BGDL x Hot season of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture farm of Agriculturale College, Bheemarayanagudi to study the genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in F2 of BGDL x Hot Season. High variability was observed for number of female flowers per vine, number of male flowers per vine, number of branches per vine, average fruit weight, number of good fruits per vine, total number of fruits per vine and total fruit yield per vine. High PCV and GCV were recorded for number of misshaped fruits per vine whereas, moderate PCV and GCV were observed for number of good fruits per vine, total number of fruits per vine, fruit diameter and total fruit yield per vine. Higher variability coupled with moderate to low genetic gain was noticed for days to first male flower, days to first female flower, vine length, number of nodes per vine, number of branches per vine, number of female flowers per vine, number of male flowers per vine, days to first fruit harvest, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, number of good fruits per vine and total fruit yield per vine. While number of misshaped fruits per vine and fruit length recorded moderate heritability and genetic gain. In correlation coefficient study fruit yield was positively correlated with total number of fruits per vine, number of good fruits per vine, average fruit weight, fruit length, number of misshaped fruits per vine, fruit diameter, number of branches per vine, number of nodes per vine and vine length. While it was significant and negatively correlated with days to first male flower, days to first female flower and days to first fruit harvest. Path analysis revealed that the maximum positive direct effect on yield for total number of fruits per vine, number of branches per vine, number of nodes per vine, vine length and days to first male flower whereas, negative and maximum direct effect on yield was observed for days to first female flower, number of good fruits per vine, fruit diameter, days to first fruit harvest, number of misshaped fruits per vine and fruit length.