Utilizing novel parthenocarpic gynoecious cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) inbreds for exploiting their heterotic potential under poly-house conditions

Abstract

Abstract Eight new parthenocarpic gynoecious lines of cucumber were used for crossing in a half-diallel fashion to generate 28 F1 hybrids which were evaluated along with commercial check 'Multistar' in poly-net house for eleven yield and quality traits. The analysis of variance indicated significant difference among all the genotypes for all the traits except number of seeds per fruit. The mean squares due to combining ability were significant for almost all the traits, indicating the role of both additive and non-additive gene action in inheritance of these traits. The parthenocarpic gynoecious line PBRK-10 was the best general combiner for five characters which included fruit weight, total soluble solids, fruit length, vine length and flesh to seed cavity ratio, whereas, PBRK-4 was the best general combiner for number of fruits per plant, days to first fruit harvest and yield per plant. The crosses PBRK-4 × PBRK-12 was found to be the best specific combiner for number of fruits per plant and yield per plant, PBRK-12 × PBRK-7 for fruit weight and fruit diameter and PBRK-10 × PBRK-1 for fruit length. The specific combining ability effects of the crosses and parental lines were found to be positively associated with their per se performance. The magnitude of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for yield per plant ranged from − 5.73 to 38.75 and − 6.77 to 45.90, respectively. The crosses PBRK-4 × PBRK-12, PBRK-4 × PBRK-9 and PBRK-9 × PBRK-1 exhibiting high positive heterosis for yield per plant along with high sca effects could be used for commercial utilization.