Performance of different greenhouse cucumber cultivars (Cucumis sativus L.) in southern Iran

Abstract

A 2 year trial was conducted with 15 cucumber (

Cucumis sativus L.) varieties from diverse origins in the greenhouse conditions (southern Iran) to study genetic variation and to identify genetically distant parents to be involved in a hybrid seed production as well as to identify the most effective components of grain yield. However, the potential of identifying genetically distant parents depends on genetic diversity of population. The varieties were cultivated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications for 2 years (2004 - 2006 seasons). Characters such as, yield and number of fruits in surface unit (m2), yield in cold season, diameter and length of stem, length and diameter of fruit were evaluated analyzed for 2 years. Compound variance analysis showed that there were significant differences (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties from diverse origins in the greenhouse conditions (southern Iran) to study genetic variation and to identify genetically distant parents to be involved in a hybrid seed production as well as to identify the most effective components of grain yield. However, the potential of identifying genetically distant parents depends on genetic diversity of population. The varieties were cultivated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications for 2 years (2004 - 2006 seasons). Characters such as, yield and number of fruits in surface unit (m2), yield in cold season, diameter and length of stem, length and diameter of fruit were evaluated analyzed for 2 years. Compound variance analysis showed that there were significant differences (

Cucumis sativus L.) varieties from diverse origins in the greenhouse conditions (southern Iran) to study genetic variation and to identify genetically distant parents to be involved in a hybrid seed production as well as to identify the most effective components of grain yield. However, the potential of identifying genetically distant parents depends on genetic diversity of population. The varieties were cultivated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications for 2 years (2004 - 2006 seasons). Characters such as, yield and number of fruits in surface unit (m2), yield in cold season, diameter and length of stem, length and diameter of fruit were evaluated analyzed for 2 years. Compound variance analysis showed that there were significant differences (

= 0.01) in yield between varieties at 2 years and the highest yield (23.81 kg/m2) was obtained for E3215516 variety. Correlation analysis of varietal means showed that the highest correlation (0.932) was observed between number of fruits (NOF) and yield, and the least (0.01) between diameter of stem (DOS) and length of fruit (LOF). Based on factor analysis, 3 components were identified, explaining 77.5% of observed variation. Factor 1 (yield factor) accounting for about 45% of the variation, was strongly associated with yield, yield in cold season and number of fruits. Factor 2 (source factor) accounting for about 18% of the variation, consisted of stem related components including diameter of stem (DOS) and length of stem (LOS). Factor 3 (sink factor) accounting for about 15% of the total variation, associated with length and diameter of fruit (LOF and DOF). Using cluster analysis, the lines were classified into 2 distinct classes A and B. Class B contained lines from different origins.