Increasing yield and quality of indigenous melons by combining intraspecific group of Cucumis melo

Abstract

Genetics and heterosis for quality and yield attributes in indigenous melon was studied by involving 28 cross combination obtained from crossing eight divers inbred of different intraspecific group of Cucumis melo in half- diallel fashion. The studies indicated that the additive as well as dominant component of variance were significant of most of the characters. The estimates of dominance component ($1 and $2) were higher than those of additive () component for all the characters except vine length and days to maturity. Overall evaluation indicates that parent-3, parent-6 and parent-7 were best general combiner for yield and other characters. Among the three best combination, hybrid combination P-7 x P-8 was considered best due to its maximum consumer preference in the present investigation.