GENETIC STUDIES FOR YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN SUMMER SQUASH (Cucurbita pepo L.)
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Date
2023-12-27
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UHF Nauni
Abstract
The present investigation “Genetic studies for yield and quality traits in summer
squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)” was conducted at the experimental farm of Regional Horticultural
Research and Training Station, Jachh, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh during the rabi season 2022-23.
Twenty-one diverse genotypes of summer squash lines along with a check Australian Green were
evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications to estimate the extent of
genetic variability, heritability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and other
horticultural traits along with the estimation of genetic divergence among the genotypes. Significant
variations were observed among all the genotypes for all the studied characteristics, as indicated by
the analysis of variance. Based on overall performance JSO-17, JSO-1, JSO-18 were found superior
for yield per plant and other important horticultural traits. The prospect of incorporating them into
future breeding programs is encouraging, given their potential as valuable parents. The estimates of
PCV and GCV were high for traits like fruit weight, fruit length and β-carotene. High heritability
estimates were also recorded for the traits fruit weight, fruit length and β-carotene. The correlation
studies revealed that yield per plant had positive and significant correlation with fruit weight, fruit
length, number of fruits per plant both at genotypic and phenotypic level. The path coefficient
analysis revealed that the most significant positive direct effect on yield per plant was contributed by
fruit weight followed by number of fruits per plant and TSS. Under genetic divergence studies, 21
genotypes were grouped into seven clusters and the highest intra-cluster distance was in cluster V
while, the minimum intra- cluster distance was present in cluster I. The highest maximum intercluster
distance was observed between cluster VII and cluster V. Whereas, the minimum inter-cluster
distance between cluster VI with cluster IV. Finally, it was concluded that genotypes JSO-17, JSO-1
and JSO-18 may be further tested in multi-locational and multi-year trials so that stability and
adaptability of these genotypes can be worked out and recommended for commercial cultivation.