To address the complex challenges faced by our planet such as rapidly changing climate patterns, food and nutritional insecurities, and the escalating world population, the development of hybrid vegetable crops is imperative. Vegetable hybrids could effectively mitigate the above-mentioned fundamental challenges in numerous countries. Utilizing genetic mechanisms to create hybrids not only reduces costs but also holds significant practical implications, particularly in streamlining hybrid seed production. These mechanisms encompass self-incompatibility (SI), male sterility, and gynoecism. The present comprehensive review is primarily focused on the elucidation of fundamental processes associated with floral characteristics, the genetic regulation of floral traits, pollen biology, and development. Specific attention is given to the mechanisms for masculinizing and feminizing cucurbits to facilitate hybrid seed production as well as the hybridization approaches used in the biofortification of vegetable crops. Furthermore, this review provides valuable insights into recent biotechnological advancements and their future utilization for developing the genetic systems of major vegetable crops.

The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK HPKV Palampur to assess the genetic divergence in indigenous cultivars of onion. Fifty eight genotypes were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with three replications during rabi 2016–17. Data were recorded on 11 yield and yield related traits. The multivariate analysis revealed considerable genetic diversity in the 58 genotypes. Genotypes were arranged into eight clusters with maximum genotypes in cluster II. Marketable yield contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence followed by equatorial diameter and polar diameter. Eleven genotypes namely, ON14–27, ON15–16, ON16–35, ON16–17, ON16–25, ON16–24, ON16–11, ON16–22, ON14–23, ON15–42, ON15–33 along with the standard check Palam Lohit could offer promise for their direct use as varieties and as potential parents in future breeding programmes to isolate transgressive segregants.

Twenty five genotypes of cauliflower along with one check Madhuri were evaluated for yield and some yield contributing morpho physiological components in cauliflower. Further, the investigation was done to find out interrelationships among different characters and their direct and indirect contribution towards yield. Estimates of phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficient revealed that marketable yield per plant was significantly and positively correlated with curd size index, gross weight per plant, curd solidity, curd compactness, curd diameter, stalk length, number of leaves per plant and harvest index. The high positive direct effect on marketable yield per plant was exhibited by curd size index, gross weight per plant, days to marketable curd maturity from date of transplanting, curd solidity, stalk length and per cent marketable curds. Therefore, these traits should be considered as the selection criterion to improve the marketable yield per plant.

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