Diallel analysis of quantitative characters in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important cucurbitaceous vegetables grown throughout the world in subtropical and tropical climatic conditions. Its tender fruits are consumed in several ways like in the form of salad and are in great demand throughout the world. It is one of the important crops grown in glasshouse or plastic house. However, in spite of its importance the knowledge of the genetic basis, which influences the expression of different quantitative characters, is still insignificant in cucumber. Knowledge of gene action of yield and its contributing characters are helpful to formulate an appropriate breeding procedure for achieving the desired objectives for the improvement of the fruit characters in the crop. In view of its commercial importance and existence of large genetic variability in cucumber, the present investigation was carried out to study the inheritance of quantitative characters in cucumber genotypes.