Assessment of Genetic Variability among 78 Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Germplams

An experiment was undertaken to study the variability in 78 cucumber germplasm collected from India as well as from abroad. Wide variations for different horticultural traits were observed under study. Lowest node number for first female flower was observed for Gy 421 (3.19) followed by RS 1 (3.22) and Gy 14 (3.25) while days taken for first female flower to anthesis as well as for days taken for first fruit harvest was lowest for Gy 421 (35.55, 46.05) followed by Gy 14(35.59, 46.91). Among fruit traits studied, fruit lengths were found maximum in CL 758 (35.29) followed by CL 746 (30.88). DC 21 recorded lowest fruit diameter (3.85 cm). Average fruit weight was highest in CL 758 (487.89g) followed by DARL-106 (410.00g) and EC 636506 (401.44g). High PCV (>20%) and GCV (>20%) were recorded for fruit length (30.72; 30.22), fruit length/ diameter (35.84; 33.57) and average fruit weight (52.31; 52.16). The estimates of heritability were found high for the traits fruit length, average fruit weight and for vine length while node number for first female flower (86.66%), days taken for first female flower to antheis (88.82%) were close to 90 per cent. Higher variability coupled with moderate to low genetic gain was noticed for days to first female flower, vine length, days taken for first fruit harvest, fruit length and average fruit weight.