Characters Association and Analysis of Covariance Structure for Yield Contributing Traits in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.) under Bundelkhand Region

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.) is an economically important crop cultivated for its nutritional value and diverse uses. The present study focuses on understanding the relationships among yield and yield attributing traits in identifying key contributors to yield improvement. Eighteen diverse genotypes of pumpkin were examined in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replication for correlation and path coefficient analysis. Correlation analysis showed that genotypic correlation coefficients were generally higher than phenotypic ones, highlighting a strong inherent relationship between the traits. Fruit yield had a significant positive correlation with fruit polar diameter, followed by pericarp thickness and fruit weight, at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Whereas path coefficient analysis elucidated that the fruit polar diameter had the highest positive direct effect on fruit yield (0.771), followed by peripheral thickness (0.375), male/female bud ratio (0.234). Fruit yield showed a positive and significant correlation with polar diameter and fruit weight, which also exhibited a positive direct effect on yield. These traits are, therefore, key targets for improvement to enhance overall yield potential.