Studies on correlation between yield and seed characters in cucumber, Cucumis sativus L

Seed is the most important input factor in any crop production programme as the success or failure of any crop solely depends on the quality and potential performance of seed. Therefore thirty diverse genotypes of cucumber collected from different indigenous sources were assessed to know the nature and magnitude of association among yield and different seed characters. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design at the experimental farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP during Kharif season of 2009. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters under study. Correlation studies indicated that yield was significantly and positively correlated with all the seed characters under study. Hence direct selection on the basis of seed germination, dry seedling weight, seedling length, seed vigor index-I and seed vigor index-II is reliable for yield improvement in cucumber.