Genetic Divergence Studies in Pumpkin (Cucucrbita spp.)

A study on genetic divergence was carried out on nineteen growth, earliness, yield and quality traits in fifty seven genotypes of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) These fifty seven genotypes were grouped into fifteen clusters. Yield per vine contributed maximum to total genetic diversity followed by leaf size, cavity size, carotene content, number of seeds per fruit and hundred seed weight. Intracluster distance was maximum among cluster XIV, I, XIII and XII. Maximum Inter-cluster divergence was observed between clusters X and XIV followed by cluster XI and XIV, cluster XIV and XV and cluster IV and XIV. Cluster XV recorded highest mean values for yield per vine, number of seeds per fruit, fruit length, average fruit weight and least mean value for days to first female flower, cluster XIV recorded highest mean value for leaf size, cluster XIII recorded highest mean values for fruit number, carotene content, TSS and least mean value for cavity size, cluster VIII recorded maximum mean values for hundred seed weight, flesh thickness and fruit circumference, cluster IV noticed least mean values for days to first harvest and nodes upto first female flower.