GENETIC VARIABILITY, CORRELATION AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN PUMPKIN (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to study variability, correlation coefficient and path analysis for yield and quality related traits of 30 pumpkin genotypes. Significant variations were found among the genotypes for most of the characters studied. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance in percent of mean were observed for beta-carotene followed by non-reducing sugar, number of seeds per fruit, yield per plant, dry weight, flesh thickness, number of male flowers per plant and number of female flowers per plant which indicated that these characters were under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for these traits might be effective. Correlation co-efficient between yield per plant with number of primary branches, number of fruits per plant and single fruit weight were positive and highly significant. On the other hand, days to first female flower, number of male flowers per plant, ß-carotene and total sugar showed positive and insignificant correlation with yield per plant. But correlation between brix content and yield per plant were significantly negative. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the maximum direct contribution towards yield was obtained through number of fruits per plant followed by days to first female flower and single fruit weight indicated that these traits should be considered as primary components of yield. Negative direct effect on yield was exerted by total sugar followed by number of female flowers per plant, reducing sugar and brix content. Considering all the qualitative and quantitative traits ten

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis Studies in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex poir) for Yield and Quality Traits

“…Fruit number per vine had positive association with fruit weight (Murali et al, 1986 andSaikia et al, 1995), yield per vine which in accordance with the results found by the Naik et al, (2015) in pumpkin. Fruit number per vine had positive association with β carotene content which in accordance with the results found by the Akter et al, (2013) in pumpkin. Fruit weight showed positive correlation with equatorial diameter and fruit polar diameter and flesh thickness (Srinivasan, 2003;Mukunda Lakshmi et al, 2002 andGopalakrishnan, 1980).…”

“…Akter et al, (2013) and Naik et al, (2015) in pumpkin also revealed that number of fruits per plant had the maximum direct effect on yield per plant. Vine length showed highest positive indirect effect on total yield per plant through number of fruit per vine, fruit equatorial diameter and 100 seed weight.…”

Diallel Analysis of Quality and Yield Contributing Traits of Pumpkin (<i>Cucurbita moschata</i> Duch. ex Poir.)

“…It may be mentioned that until to date there is no released variety of pumpkin with high yield potential and better nutritional quality. Further, very limited attempt had been made for genetic improvement of this crop (Akter et al, 2013Rana et al, 2015, Begum et al 2016. An understanding of the nature and magnitude of variability among the genetic stocks is of prime importance to the breeder.…”

Evaluation of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir.) for yield and other characters

“…Ahmed et al (2011) reported significant differences in fruit per plant in different pumpkin genotypes and the highest number of fruits per plant (15.74) was observed in one genotype. Akter et al (2013) found fruits per plant ranging from 1.52 to 4.60.…”

“…There are number of local cultivars/land races with wide range of variability in size, shape and colour of fruits available in Bangladesh (Rashid, 1993;Kamaluddin, 1996). Many scientists reported significant variations present in pumpkin genotypes (Ahmed et al, 2011;Akter et al, 2013;Aruah et al, 2012). In order to develop HYVs of Pumpkin the Olericulture Division, HRC, BARI collected a good number of pumpkin germplasm and developed 19 inbreds.…”