Genetic variability and correlation studies in some varieties of cucumber (cucumis sativus L)‎

Abstract EN

Eleven exotic and six indigenous cultivars of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were evaluated for yield and quality characteristics.

Total fruit yield was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the indigenous cultivars; while some exotic cultivars like W12757, Ashley, Addis and Regal had longer vines (P< 0.01) and fewer days to flowering (P < 0.05).

Linear correlation analyses showed that mean fruit number per plant and length of vine at 6 weeks were significantly and positively associated with yield (P < 0.001 and 0.01, respectively).

Genetic analyses indicated that Phenotypic Coefficients of Variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficients of variation in all of the attributes studied; while length of vine at 6 weeks had the highest genetic gain.

High heritability (broad sense) estimates of 94% and 85% were obtained for days to flower initiation and days to 50 percent flowering, respectively.

Length of vine at 6 weeks, days to flower initiation and days to 50% flowering had high to moderate genotypic variance, high to moderate heritability and greater genetic gain.

Selection can, therefore, be based on these characters, and their phenotypic expression would be a good indicator of their genotypic potentiality.