Genetic variability, heritability and performance evaluation of an F₂ population in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) for yield and component traits

Developing high-yielding and stable crop varieties is paramount for global food security. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to evaluate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for twenty quantitative traits in an F₂ segregating population of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The field experiment, executed during the summer season 2024-25, involved 20 F₂ progenies along with two standard checks. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with two replications. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences (p<0.01) among all genotypes for all characters studied. This confirmed the presence of substantial amount of genetic variability, which is the fundamental prerequisite for effective crop improvement. Mean performance analysis successfully identified superior progenies, with the cross EC-1041436 × SP recording the highest fruit yield per hectare (167.07 q/ha). The progeny IC-410682 × SP was particularly found outstanding, exhibiting the highest number of fruits per vine (13.00), maximum fruit weight (190.17 g) and the highest yield per vine (2.45 kg). High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean were observed for critical economic traits, including yield per hectare (h²b = 81.58%, GAM = 32.42%), yield per plot (h²b = 90.54%, GAM = 36.33%), yield per vine (h²b = 88.70%, GAM = 37.36%), and number of fruits per vine (h²b = 83.50%, GAM = 27.31%). This suitable combination strongly signifies the predominance of additive gene action in the inheritance of the traits, suggesting that direct phenotypic selection would be a highly effective and rewarding strategy for achieving significant genetic gains for yield and yield attributes.