Evaluation and characterization of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) germplasm

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide. This research was performed at vegetable research area and vegetable stress physiology lab, Institute of Horticultural Sciences (IHS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), for studying physiological and morphological traits. Evaluation of fruit mineral contents at Pomology Lab, IHS, UAF and to determine genetic variability among cucumber germplasm at Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, (CABB), UAF. Results of morphological characterization determined high level of diversity in qualitative as well as quantitative morphological traits in cucumber genotypes. Yield of fruit per vine gave maximum standard deviation (637.67) and maximum observed yield of fruit per vine was 2354.75 g which was recorded from C-28522. Principle component analysis (PCA) illustrated complete diversity in 9 components rather than twenty four experiencing 79.07 % diversity among all cucumber genotypes for all morphological quantitative characters. From the all studied objects maximum standard deviation value 1.95 was observed in fruit skin color. Among all studied physiological traits relative water contents gave maximum rate of standard deviation which was 11.79 and recorded data of relative water contents determined that maximum relative water contents (%) were observed from germplasm C-29643, which was 98.45 (%). Among all eight studied minerals potassium gave maximum value of standard deviation which was 12.21 and maximum amount of potassium was (66.43 mg/g) observed from germplasm C 35831. Principle component analysis described complete diversity in three factors rather than eight encountering total 69.18 % diversity among all cucumber germplasm for all studied fruit mineral contents. Class III and I contained maximum number of genotypes and highly genetically diverse class containing germplasm C-3429, Sialkot local, C-28522, C-29643, C 32027, C-32031, C-32149, C-32805, C-35830, C-35831, C-36833, Long green, C-574, C 571, Wandri-700, Pico-500, Cucumber vega, Cucumber ana and KN-84604105. The characterization presented in this study covering all characteristics of cucumber crop can be exploited in breeding programs for improvement of indigenous genotypes. The discoveries of this study would be helpful for cultivation and additional exploration of this crop.