Influence of fruit load per vine on seed quality in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) grown under open field and protected environments

One fruit/vine (T1) recorded higher seed quality (germination, and vigour) with compromised seed yield (assimilate transfer, total number of sees/fruit, total number of filled seeds/fruit, seed yield/plant and 1000-seed weight) than those to two fruits/vine (T2), whereas, the three fruits/vine (T3) recorded significantly lower both seed quality and yield in two cucumber varieties (Pusa Barkha and Pusa Uday) under both open field (E1) and protected (E2) environments, during 2019, at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. Total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, starch and oil contents in seeds were maximum with T1. The ROS (O_2- and H₂O₂) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and POX) were increased with the increased fruit load/vine, indicated the physical and physiological status of seed. Seed dormancy was not influenced by the number of fruit load but influenced by its genotype. Therefore, retention of two fruits per vine was recommended to get better seed yield with optimum seed quality.