Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

This study evaluated 74 genotypes (14 lines, 4 testers, and 56 F1 hybrids with two checks) at the Vegetable Research Farm, Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, over the summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 using a randomized block design with three replications. Traits observed included days to 50% flowering, days to first fruit harvest, plant height, primary branches per plant, pedicel length, fruits per cluster, average fruit weight, fruits per plant, total phenol content, dry matter content, reducing and non-reducing sugars, total sugars, TSS, ascorbic acid, total fruit yield plant^-1, and yield hectare^-1. Phenotypic path coefficient analysis showed highly positive direct effects on total fruit yield plant^-1 (0.3723), number of fruits plant^-1 (0.2300), average fruit weight (0.2204), and plant height (0.1734). Indirect effects were notably contributed by primary branches plant^-1 (0.2892) and reducing sugar (0.2536). Pooled genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed the highest positive direct effects from total fruit yield plant^-1 (0.7791), total sugar (0.3543), and plant height (0.2132). Significant indirect effects were from reducing sugar (0.4582) and primary branches plant^-1 (0.3155).