Variability, Correlations and Path Co-Efficient Analysis IN Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.)

Abstract

Nineteen pumpkin inbreds were evaluated to measure the variability, estimate genetic attributes, the association among the characters and their contribution to yield. There was a significant variation observed for all the characters among the inbred. High heritability coupled with the high genetic advance in percent means and high genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for fruit length, cavity length and average fruit weight, indicating additive gene effects of these traits. The positive and strong association of node number of first female flower (rg = 0.91, rp = 0.82), flesh thickness (rg = 0.55, rp = 0.47), fruit diameter (rg = 0.46, rp = 0.44) with yield per plant.  On the other hand, days to first male flower (rg = -0.27, rp = -0.14) and days to first female flower (rg = -0.1, rp= -0.13) co-related negatively and insignificantly with fruit yield per plant. Average fruit weight (0.89 kg) and fruits per plant (0.52) had direct effect on pumpkin yield, indicating their importance as selection parameters. Moreover, the results indicated that node number to first female flower, average fruit weight, flesh thickness, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruits per plant can be used as useful selection criteria to increase fruit yield per plant in pumpkin.