Genetic Diversity of Iranian Native Cucumber Populations

This study was conducted to evaluate genetic diversity in eight native populations of Iranian cucumber including Birjand, Roudbar, Gorgan, Kashan, Yazd, Taft, Sanandaj, and Isfahan in comparison with Super Daminus hybrid as control in a randomized complete block design with three replications for two years (2007 and 2008) in two regions (Varamin and Isfahan). Studied traits were days to flowering, number of fertile flowers, the ratio of female/ male flowers, number of branches, days to first harvest, average number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant, average fruits length per population, the ratio of three first harvest / total yield and average yield per plant. The results indicated the existence of high genetic differences between local populations and Super Daminus hybrid. Based on cluster analysis, populations were classified in three groups. According to clusters segregation in the highest difference level, Super Daminus had the highest difference with other populations showing that this hybrid has a genetic different from other populations. After control cultivar, Yazd and Taft populations had the most differences with other populations, respectively. Maximum similarity was observed between Isfahan and Kashan populations and amang Gorgan, Roudbar and Sanandaj populations as well. Furthermore, Isfahan and Kashan populations were similar to Birjand population and three of them were somewhat similar to Gorgan, Roudbar and Sanandaj populations.