Genetic variability, heritability and character association analysis in hull-less pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo var. styriaca)

Hull-less pumpkins have been evolved due to a single recessive mutation and their consumption has numerous health benefits. The genetic variation in hull-less pumpkin is limited due to strong selection pressure for particular seed types and its cultivation in narrow geographical region. In this context, we have developed segregating populations from hull-less and hulled cultivars and selected 44 hull-less lines to broaden the genetic base of hull-less pumpkin. In the present study, 46 populations of hull-less pumpkin were characterized in terms of genetic variability, heritability and character association analysis. The morphological and biochemical characterization revealed significant variability for growth habit, quality (except dry matter), fruit, seed and oil yield. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed eleven significant PCs which explained 82.014% of total variation. Cluster analysis performed to assess the patterns of variation and germplasm under investigation, grouped it into five clusters. Growth habit, fruit, seed and oil yield show high positive correlation with other traits.