Genetic variability and correlation studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir)

Abstract

Eighteen diverse pumpkin genotypes were grown in a randomized block design with three replications during 1978-79 at the Instructional Farm of College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to estimate the extend of genetic variability, association among polygenic characters and its partition into direct and indirect effects. A discriminant function analysis was also carried out to find out the efficiency, if any, of selection through discriminant function over straight selection vice versa. The 18 genotypes were significantly different for the 32 polygenic characters studied. The genotype C.M. 17 and C.M.14 emerged as high yielders with other desirable qualities (16.10 kg. and 15.38 kg. fruit yield / plant respectively). Selection of plants considering yield per S E was observed to be efficient than selection of component characters. Fruit yield /plant was positively correlated with length of main vine, average fruit weight and weight of first mature fruit. Leaves /plant and intermodal length had maximum direct effects on length of main vine. Weight of first mature fruit was positively correlated flesh thickness and circumference of fruit. Number of female flowers/plant and number of fruit /plant had no correlation with fruit yield/plant. This aberrant behaviour requires further physiological studies to define the physiological sink in pumpkin. The line C.M.18 is observed to contain the maximum amount of carotene(0.527%) among the 18 genotypes studied. The carotene content was observed rather independent fruit yield /plant.