MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.) GENOTYPES FOR YIELD AND PRODUCTIVITY TRAITS

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Date
2018-07
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University of Horticultural Sciences , Bagalkot
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The present investigation was carried out with 35 cucumber genotypes at Haveli farm, College of Horticulture, Bagalkot (Karnataka) during 2014-16 using randomized complete block design with two replications. Evaluation for genetic variability and divergence being the primary objective of the study, experimental data obtained for yield and yield contributing traits was also subjected to correlation and path analysis. Further molecular marker profiling using 23 RAPD markers was performed to know diversity at molecular level. Variability studies demonstrated higher PCV, GCV, heritability and GAM implying the existence of sufficient variation among the studied genotypes. High heritability with high genetic advance was recorded for most of the characters viz. Vine length, number of branches, number of nodes, internodal length, number of leaves, tendril length and leaf area, which shows existence of additive gene action hence these traits can be improved trough direct selection. Correlation studies revealed that total fruit yield per vine had positive and significant correlation with number of nodes per vine, number of female flowers per vine, number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, yield at all the three pickings and fruit diameter. Path coefficient analyses revealed that number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, yield at first, second and third picking, fruit length and fruit diameter exerted direct positive effect towards total fruit yield per vine. By the use of Mahalanobis D2 analysis, 35 genotypes of cucumber were grouped into 5 distinct clusters. Cluster I comprised of 26 genotypes, cluster II with 6 genotypes. Cluster III, IV and V were solitary with single genotype. Whereas molecular characterization grouped genotypes into two main clusters. First main cluster was composed of 27 genotypes and there were 8 genotypes under main cluster II in the dendrogram. Genotype UDYC-25 recorded highest fruit yield per vine followed by UDYC-21 and UDYC-1. The present investigation illustrated the existence of wide range of variations for most of the characters in cucumber genotypes, providing opportunities for genetic gain through selection or hybridization in future breeding programme.
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