GENETIC VARIABILITY AND HETEROSIS STUDIES IN MUSKMELON (Cucumis melo L.)

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Date
2003
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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES GKVK, DHARWAD
Abstract
"The mvcstigatK^s=ajf^cncfic varialjUity aiid heterosis in niiiskrnclon were canied out at Depaitineut of Olericulture, K.R.C.College of Hoiticulture, Arabhavi during 2002-2003. llac genetic stock of tliiii}' five muskmelon accessions was evaluated to elicit information on genetic vaiiability, divergence and character association. Analysis of vatiancc levealed highly significant (P = 0.01) difTerences among genotypes for twenty four out of Iwent}'^ five gix)wth, yield and quality pĀ£uam(;tcrs. I'hc values of gtuiotypic and jDhenotypic coefficient of variation were moderate for tlie chai^acters like fiiiit shape index, cavit}'^ length, fruit fly iiacidence and per cent disease index for downy mildew indicating Hmited variability in the geiinplasm evaluated for these traits. Migh heritability coupled witli high genetic advance over mean were obsei^ved for fruit weight, fmit shape index and cavity length indicating additive gene action for these traits and hence, selection for these tiaits would be gainful. Congelation studies revealed highly significant and positive association of yield with average fruit weight, flesh thickness, vine length and cavity length, suggesting possibility of simultaneous selection for these tiaits. Path analysis revealed that the direct selection on average fruit weight and cavit}^' width for yield would be gainful as they had high direct effect. The 35 genotypes were grouped mto 15 clusters by using D^ analysis. While the Cluster I constituted 15 genotypes, Cluster III included 5 genotypes followed by Cluster XIV with 3 genotypes. The remaining clusters had one genotype each. The 15 hybrids were evaluated along with tlieu^ eleven parents and commercial check variety Pusa Mndhiuns to study tlic extent of heterosis for growth, yield and finil (lUMlily pnmnu'Uns. Iligidy significN'int jiositive lielerosis over better parent and commercial cdicck ibi' yield per vine, average fniit weight and fruit nimiber per vine were obscivcd. The promising crosses for yield and component traits were IC-203053 x Arka Jcet, l(:-2()3()73 x Arka Jcet and Kajri x Arka Jeet. These crosses iiad also high heterosis for quahty paiv'mieters lilce flesh thicJcness, TSS and sngars."
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