International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 218-222 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 221 3.3 Path analysis study The path coefficient analysis techniques involves a method of partitioning the total correlation between the dependent variable and the independent component variable to show the direct and indirect effect. The direct effect directly enhances yield, but the indirect effect influences yield through other traits. The data on path coefficient analysis at the genotypic level shows the direct and indirect effects of significant traits over fruit yield per plot (Table 2). From the data, it is known that fruit weight has highest positive direct effect over fruit yield (0.777), followed by number of fruits per panicle (0.424), plant height (0.180), days to flowering of female flowers (0.076) and total number of harvest (0.011). These traits are directly involved in the high yield of cucumber. Positive direct effect of fruit length, fruit weight, and number of fruits per plant on yield was also reported by Hossain et al. (2010) and Dhiman and Chander (2005). Positive direct effects of average fruit weight on yield were also reported by Kumar et al. (2008). Similarly, fruit circumference (-0.078) shows the most negative direct effect on yield per plot followed by fruit length (-0.051) and days to flowering of male flower (-0.008). These traits can be considered responsible for directly lowering the yield of cucumber. The highest positive indirect effect was found for days to flowering of male flowers and female flowers through fruit weight (0.759). While the highest negative indirect effect was found for plant height through fruit circumference (-0.076). At the genotypic level, the residual effect was found 0.0012. Selection of the traits having direct and indirect positive effect on yield aids to the improvement in total yield of cucumber because they are directly or indirectly involved in increasing the total yield. Table 2 Path coefficient analysis showing direct (bold) and indirect effects of various traits on yield per plot PH MF FF FL FC FW NFPP TNOH PH 0.180 -0.003 0.037 -0.045 -0.076 0.518 0.286 0.006 MF 0.077 -0.008 0.078 -0.041 -0.046 0.759 0.019 0.0002 FF 0.087 -0.008 0.076 -0.042 -0.052 0.759 0.028 0.0005 FL 0.161 -0.006 0.062 -0.051 -0.071 0.704 0.260 0.006 FC 0.174 -0.005 0.050 -0.046 -0.078 0.608 0.169 0.002 FW 0.120 -0.008 0.074 -0.046 -0.061 0.777 0.016 -0.002 NFPP 0.122 -0.0003 0.004 -0.031 -0.031 0.029 0.424 0.012 TNOH 0.104 -0.0002 0.004 -0.027 -0.021 -0.181 0.471 0.011 Note: Residual: 0.0012; FC= Fruit Circumference, FF= Days to flowering of female flowers, FL= Fruit length, FW= Fruit weight, PH= Plant height, MF= Days to flowering of male flowers, NFPP= Number of fruits per plant, TNOH= Total number of harvest 4 Conclusion The experimental findings showed that among the seven varieties used for the experiment, Bhaktapur local was found superior in terms of various traits including fruit yield. Thus, this variety should be selected for cultivation in Rukum East. The correlation study revealed that the yield per plot of cucumber was positively correlated and highly significant with yield per plant followed by fruit weight, fruit length and plant height. These traits ultimately affect the yield of cucumber. Further, Path analysis showed that the fruit weight directly influences the yield of cucumber, and the days to flowering of male flowers and female flowers indirectly influence the fruit yield. Thus, from the correlation studies it is concluded that selection should be made based on higher average fruit weight, fruit length, and plant height to bring desired improvement in the yield of cucumber. Authors’ contributions HPG completed the writing of the original draft, conducted investigations, conceptualized the study, developed the methodology, and carried out data collection and analysis. NA conducted investigations, conceptualized the study, collected data, and performed writing, review, and editing. RS participated in the methodology, performed validation, conducted formal analysis, and carried out writing, review, and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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