Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Growth and Earliness Parameters in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Fifty two cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance during 2009–10. In the present investigation variance due to genotypes was highly significant (p=0.01) for vine length (cm), number of primary branches per plant on 75 days after sowing (DAS), number of leaves per plant on 90 DAS, leaf area index, days to first male flower, days to first female flower, nodes upto first female flower and number of days to first harvest. Moderate to high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed for vine length (cm), number of primary brancheson 75 days after sowing (DAS) and nodes upto first female flower. High heritability coupled with highgenetic advance over mean was observed for the characters viz., vine length (cm), nodes up to first female flower and hence these traits can be improved by selection. Similarly high heritability with low genetic advance over mean was observed for days to first male flower indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action and hence, these traits can be improved by hybridization with divergent genotypes to produce transgressive segregants.