Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Shuchismita Patra, DK Singh, Shashank Shekhar Singh and Malani Negi

Abstract:
The present investigation was carried out at the Vegetable Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, during February-May, 2023 with total twenty-three genotypes of Parthenocarpic cucumber including two check varieties Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber 3 and Pusa Parthenocarpic Cucumber 6 under randomized block design to study genetic variability and diversity. According to statistical analysis of data, the result revealed significant differences among parthenocarpic cucumber genotypes observed for sixteen growth and yield related characters. High PCV and GCV were recorded for main vine length (m), number of nodes per vine, days to first male flower, node number at which first male flower appears, node number at which first female flower appears, fruit yield per plant (kg), fruit yield per hectare (q). The difference between PCV and GCV was less which indicates these traits are less influenced by the environment. High value of heritability was reported for days to first male flower followed by main vine length(m), number of nodes per vine, node at which first male flower appears, node at which first female flower appears, fruit yield per plant (kg), fruit yield per hectare(q), days from flower initiation to harvest, internodal length(cm), number of pickings, fruit weight (g), fruit length(cm), number of fruits per plant, days to first fruit harvest, days to first female flower and fruit diameter (cm). High genetic advance as percentage of mean was obtained for the characters under study. The inter cluster D² values of the six clusters revealed that highest inter cluster generalized distance was observed between cluster IV and V indicating that the genotypes in these clusters can be used as parents in hybridization programme to develop high heterotic hybrids. It was observed that fruit yield per plant (kg) contributed maximum towards divergence followed by fruit yield per hectare (q) and fruit weight (g). Five genotypes namely Aviva, PPCUC 13, PPCUC 6, Safran Plus and PPCCU 7 were superior for fruit yield per plant (kg) and these genotypes may be considered as promising ones for the improvement of parthenocarpic cucumber in breeding programme.