Physio-biochemical changes associated with spatial differences of ovules in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) fruit under open field and protected environments

Abstract

Seeds from middle and stylar fruit segments showed superior
performance in terms of seed yield and quality in chosen
two cucumber varieties (Pusa Barkha and Pusa Uday) under
both open field (E1) and protected (E2) environments, during
2019-20, at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
New Delhi. Besides, both seed quality and yield were
superior under protected environment (E2). This may be
due to temporal and spatial advantage of stylar segment in
receiving the vigorous pollen and garnering higher food
accumulates (protein, sugar, starch and oil) than peduncular
segment; thus, higher probability of seed setting. Higher
dehydrogenases, antioxidants (SOD, CAT & POX) and lower
ROS (H2O2 & O2
·-), electrical conductance, TSS and TSP
(seed leachates) from middle and stylar segment of fruit
indicated the better physical and physiological soundness
of seed. The seeds from peduncular segment lagged behind
in development and maturation, showed higher dormancy.
Therefore, to obtain optimum seed quality in cucumber, seed
should be harvested from middle and stylar segments of
fruit.