Studies on correlation and path-coefficient analysis for yield and its contributing traits in cucumber

The present study was conducted to assess the nature and magnitude of association among yield and its contributing traits in cucumber. Correlation studies revealed that yield had significant positive association with marketable fruits per plant, fruit length and breadth, average fruit weight, harvest duration, total soluble solids, seed germination, seed vigour index-I and II, while significant negative correlations were observed with node number bearing first female flower, days to marketable maturity, severity of powdery mildew, anthracnose and angular leaf spot, both at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed that average fruit weight had maximum positive direct effect on yield followed by harvest duration, seed vigour index-II, severity of angular leaf spot, anthracnose and powdery mildew, marketable fruits per plant and total soluble solids, whereas negative direct effect of fruit length and breadth, seed vigour index-I, days to marketable maturity, seed germination, fruit length and node number bearing first female flower was observed on yield. Hence, direct selection for fruit weight, harvest duration and number of fruits per plant with minimum disease severity may be reliable for yield improvement in cucumber.