Morphological and Yield Characteristics Diversity among Pumpkin Accessions in Kenya

Abstract

Genetic diversity and yield potential of Kenyan Cucurbit genotypes is not known. A study was set up to determine the genetic diversity and yield of pumpkin accessions. The experiment was carried out in two field sites using a randomized complete block design with three replications. In the current study, 96 accessions were evaluated for different phenotypic and quantitative traits on the plant, leaves, inflorescence and fruits were recorded. Collected data were statistically analyzed using OriginPro 2022 software. Pearson's correlation coefficient of similarity, Principal component analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used in data analyses; Pearson's correlation results indicated the number of branches having a highly significant positive correlation at p ≤ 0.001 with the number of nodes of the first fruit, nodes on the main vine, leaves on main vine, lobes per leaf, vine length, and fruit weight.The weight of healthy fruits was highest in MEG052 (10.00 ± 1.399 Kgs) and lowest in KAPS024 (2.100 ± 1.339) Kgs, with a mean weight of 4.3Kgs. Cluster analysis categorised the accessions based on the parameters into 3 groups. The first to the sixth principal components explained 59.94% of the variations among pumpkin accessions. Analyses on 61 pumpkin accessions indicated the average yield at the University of Eldoret was higher (6.24Kgs) than that of Eldama Ravine (4.22kg). The highest recorded weight of 15.83Kg in UoE was in TUL058 while the lowest was 2.25kg in accession NGE066. A range of variability was observed among the pumpkin accessions for all the scored characteristics. Therefore, these data could be used in breeding programs in Kenya for pumpkin productivity, thus contributing to improved food security.