Genetic Variability and Correlation Study of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) Genotypes under Osmotic Stress at Early Seedling Growth Stage

摘要

The present experiment was carried out in vitro with 40 muskmelon genotypes to study the genetic variability and correlation among root length, shoot length and root shoot ratio by length with a view to formulate an efficient breeding program for time bound genetic enhancement. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for all the seedling traits studied under control (normal) and PEG induced osmotic stress. Results of study showed that under water stress root length and shoot length decreased over the control values. High heritability were found for root length and shoot length, due to additive gene effects. Correlation studies showed that root length and shoot length traits were significantly and positive correlated under both controlled and water stress condition in vitro.