Correlation and path analysis in F₂ generation of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.ex Poir)

The present exploration was carried out with ten crosses in pumpkin including two check variety Co1 and Co2, sown in Randomized Block Design (RBD) without replication due to segregating population to determine the magnitude of association among yield and its contributing traits in pumpkin. Besides path analysis was carried out to determine the direct and indirect effects of correlation coefficients. Correlation studies concede that the traits number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, flesh thickness, number of seeds per fruit and hundred seed weight exhibited strong significant and positive correlation towards fruit yield per plant. The character association confess that pre-eminent importance of number of fruits per vine, fruit length, fruit diameter decides the average fruit weight. Path analysis concludes that the number of fruits per vine and average fruit weight showed positive direct effect with fruit yield per plant. Hence the selection based on number of fruits per vine and average fruit weight may be valid for yield improvement in subsequent generations of pumpkin.