Physio-biochemical changes associated with spatial differences of ovules in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) fruit under open field and protected environments

Seeds from middle and stylar fruit segments showed superior performance in terms of seed yield and quality in chosen two cucumber varieties (Pusa Barkha and Pusa Uday) under both open field (E1) and protected (E2) environments, during 2019-20, at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Besides, both seed quality and yield were superior under protected environment (E2). This may be due to temporal and spatial advantage of stylar segment in receiving the vigorous pollen and garnering higher food accumulates (protein, sugar, starch and oil) than peduncular segment; thus, higher probability of seed setting. Higher dehydrogenases, antioxidants (SOD, CAT & POX) and lower ROS (H₂O₂ & O₂ -), electrical conductance, TSS and TSP (seed leachates) from middle and stylar segment of fruit indicated the better physical and physiological soundness of seed. The seeds from peduncular segment lagged behind in development and maturation, showed higher dormancy. Therefore, to obtain optimum seed quality in cucumber, seed should be harvested from middle and stylar segments of fruit.