Variability studies in Valan kakri (Cucumis sativus var. utilissimus L.) germplasm

Valan kakri is an underexploited vegetable and has great potential for genetic improvement through systematic approach. In this study, variability parameters were evaluated in 30 genotypes of Valan kakri collected from different villages across Udaipur during September 2019 and morphological studies were done at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were highest for fruit length (34.48%, 35.43%) followed by fruit weight (61.64 % and 62.04). Estimates for heritability (Broad sense) ranged from 69.70% for seed cavity breadth to 99.24% for acidity of fruit. Traits like fruit length, fruit weight, seed cavity length, acidity of fruit, ascorbic acid content had high GCV, PCV and heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of mean. Therefore, selection can be effective for these traits in crop improvement programme.