Morpho-physiological and biochemical changes during seed development in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Morpho-physiological and biochemical changes in developing cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) seeds were monitored under both open field (E1) protected environments (E2) during 2019 at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. Fruits developed from hand pollinated flowers, Pusa Barkha Uday varieties harvested five-day intervals. The environment influenced days to maturity development of fruit and/or seed. Irrespective varieties, seasons environments, seed moisture decreased (over three folds); fresh dry weights increased (one & half folds, respectively). Electrical conductance (EC), total soluble sugars (TSS) proteins (TSP), leachates, followed a bell-shape pattern. reserve accumulation (TSS, starch, TSP oil) registered an increase weights; the filling continued up maturity. ROS activity (H2O2& O2-) initially then significantly A significant decrease antioxidant enzymes indicated desiccation resistance. Seeds attained maximum germination (70.0 &73.2%), vigour-I (1114.3 &1323.1), vigour-II (8.61 9.55) 40 DFP&50 DFP; (19.9 20.15 mg/seed) E1&E2, respectively.