Correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield related traits in summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)

The associations between yield and its components provide crucial insights in any breeding programme. Present investigation was conducted at Vegetable Experimental field, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar Srinagar during Kharif season of 2023 to examine the association using correlation coefficients and further evaluating the direct and indirect effects of each trait on fruit yield using path coefficient analysis in 30 genotypes of summer squash. Observations were recorded for various yield and yield attributing traits viz., plant height, stem diameter, days to appearance of 1^st male flower, days to appearance of 1^st female flower, node of 1^st female flower, node of 1^st male flower, plant spread, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per hectare. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and a plant spacing of 2×1 m. Correlation coefficients revealed that the economically significant trait fruit yield per hectare exhibited a positive and substantial correlation with number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit length, plant height and plant spread at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed thatthe maximum direct contribution towards yield was obtained through number of fruits per plant followed by fruit weight indicating that these traits should be considered as primary components of yield.