GENETIC DIVERSITY, CORRELATION AND PATH CO-EFFICIENT ANALYSIS IN CUCUMBER (Cucurnis sativus L)

Abstract

Twenty two genotypes of cucumber (Cucurnis swivus U) were studied increase line space at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during March 2010 to October 2010. The objectives of the study were to measure the variability among the genotypes for yield and yield contributing characters, estimate genetic parameters, association among the characters and their contribution to yield. There was a great deal of significant variation for all the characters among the genotypes. High genotypic co-efficient of variation (CCV) was observed for yield per plant, number of male flower and number of fruits per plants whereas low genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) was observed for weight of fruit and breadth of fruit. In all eases, phenotypie variances were higher than the genotypic variance. High heritability with tow genetic advance in percent of mean was observed in days to first female flowering which indicated that non-additive gene effects were involved for the expression of this character and selection for such trait might not be rewarding. High heritability with high genetic advance in percent of mean was observed for yield per plant and number of fruits per plants indicated that this trait was under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for this trait would be effective. Correlation studies revealed that highest significant association of yield per plant with number of female flower, number of fruit per plant followed by length of fruit at genotypic level. Path co-efficient analysis revealed maximum direct contribution towards yield per plant with leaf breadth, number of female flower followed by fruit weight. Highest intra-cluster distance was found in cluster HI and lowest in cluster IV. Among four clusters, the highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and cluster 111 and lowest between cluster 1 and cluster IV. Considering all the characters the G14 (Serena), Gy (BD4305). Goi, (BD-4256), (37 (CU937F1). 009 (13D-4309) were selected for future breeding programme.