Genetic studies for hybrid development in Indian muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

The analysis of general and specific combining ability with the estimation of heterosis was carried out under this study to select suitable parents and their hybrids for commercial use in muskmelon. 28 F1 hybrids were developed from 8 parents by advocating a diallel mating strategy excluding reciprocals. The hybrids, along with parents, were evaluated for two consecutive years to assess general and specific combining ability with heterosis over better and check parent for eleven quantitative traits. The study revealed the effect of both additive and non-additive genetic control over the expression of the traits. Genotypes PMM-13, PMM-16 and PMM-18 were observed as excellent general combiners for yield and also found admirable for earliness, plant architecture and fruit quality. Among 28 F1 hybrids, PMM-32 × PMM-16, PMM-4A × PMM-13 and PMM-18 × Hara Madhu exhibited higher sca effects for fruit yield. Outside yield, these hybrids showed appreciable sca effects in desirable direction for earliness, less seed cavity, fruit mesocarp thickness and total soluble solids. It has been observed in this study that one of the parents of a particular cross having a good GCA resulted higher sca effect. Among all the hybrids, PMM 13 × PMM 18, PMM 18 × Hara Madhu and PMM 13 × PMM 16 were the top three as per heterotic value regarding yield. These crosses also found great in earliness, vegetative and fruit quality traits.