Effect of different mode of pollination on fruit and seed characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Effect of different mode of pollination viz., open pollination and self pollination on fruit and seed setting as well as their characteristics in monoecious (K-75 and UHF-CUC-101) and gynoecious (GYNO-1 and GYNO-2) varieties was studied at the Experimental Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during Kharif, 2016. Open pollination had better effect on all the parameters (Mean fruit set, mean fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit and thousand seed weight) studied compared to self pollination method. Maximum fruit weight of 278.02g was recorded in open pollination system than in selfing (263.54g) and it was recorded maximum in cultivar UHF-CUC-101 (289.28g) and minimum in GYNO-2 (259.89g). Similarly, number of seeds per fruit was more in open pollination system (190.05 seeds/ fruit) than in selfing (160.72 seeds/fruit) and among cultivars, it was found maximum in K-75 (256.30) and minimum in GYNO-1 (99.81). Likewise, thousand seed weight was recorded higher in open pollination system (20.12g) than in selfing(18.32g) and amidcultivarsmaximumin K-75(22.65g) whereasminimumin GYNO-2(18.26g). Interactions(Varieties × Conditions) had a significant effect on percent fruit set as well as number of seeds per fruit and non-significant effect on mean fruit weight and thousand seed weight.