Interrelationship of squash characteristics under different environmental conditions

Abdelkader, Mohamed F.M.; Abdein, Mohamed A.

doi:10.21608/hjsc.2023.325500

Interrelationship of squash characteristics under different environmental conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

² Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/hjsc.2023.325500

Abstract

Two locations trials were conducted to evaluate 14 imported genotypes of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) for some vegetative growth, flowering and yield traits during the summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 under open field conditions. According to correlation studies, estimations of the genotypic correlation coefficient were higher than the equivalent phenotypic correlation coefficient, indicating a significant underlying association between the various traits being studied. The decreased phenotypic values could result from interactions with the environment. A negative and significant correlation of days to 1^st female flowering was observed with the number of fruits per plant, fruits yield/plant, TSS and average fruit weight in both localities. A very weak association was observed between average fruit weight and yield per plant in this study, which suggested that environment played role in determining average fruit weight. The path coefficient analysis among seven traits fruit yield and each of vine length, fruit diameter, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and total soluble solids percentage were performed. However, the picture was different under various environments where, total direct effects increased from 37.3% (Dumah Al-Jandal) to 39.0 % (Rafha) and the reverse trend was observed for total indirect effects which increased in Dumah Al-Jandal (63.5%) than 52.6% in Rafha.

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