Deciphering the Traits Association and Path Coefficient Analysis among Yield Attributing Traits of Snap Melon (Cucumis melo var. momordica) Genotypes

An investigation was carried out at the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, during the Rabi season of 2021. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with two replications and aimed to assess twenty-five snap melon genotypes alongside three check varieties, sourced from various regions in India. Seventeen yield-related traits were observed for each genotype, and the mean data was utilized for subsequent analysis. The study on trait associations revealed that genotypic correlations exhibited higher values compared to their respective phenotypic counterparts, indicating stronger, consistent correlations independent of environmental factors. Notably, yield plant-1 exhibited positive and significant correlations with vine length, number of fruits vine-1, fruit weight, length of fruit, fruit circumference, and flesh thickness at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis unveiled that the total number of fruits plant-1 and average fruit weight exerted positive direct effects on yield plant-1. Consequently, the study suggests that selection based on traits such as number of fruits-1 plant and average fruit weight would be effective for enhancing yield in snap melon.