Heterosis and combining ability for fruit quality, mineral nutrients and post harvest traits of muskmelon

Abstract

Twenty-one F1 hybrids of muskmelon, along with seven parents from two horticultural groups, were evaluated for heterosis and combining ability for fruit quality, mineral nutrients, and post harvest traits, in a half diallel scheme, during the spring-summer and kharif seasons of the year 2017. For all fruit quality, mineral nutrient, and post harvest traits, sca component of variance (σ2s) was greater than the gca component of variance (σ2g), indicating the importance of non-additive gene action for improvement. Kashi Madhu (P6) was the best general combiner for K, Zn, Cu, Ca and Mg content, whereas Pusa Madhuras (P5) for ascorbic acid and Mn content. Besides, the parent DCM-31 (P4) was the best general combiner for TSS and Fe content; Hara Madhu (P7) for acidity and Na content; DHM-162 (P2) for respiration rate and ethylene emission rate. The hybrid, DCM-31 × Pusa Madhuras was found to be the best heterotic combination for ascorbic acid and Fe content. The cross DMM-159 × Pusa Madhuras was the best heterotic hybrid for TSS and Cu content. Similarly, the cross DHM-163 × DMM-159 was superior for respiration rate and ethylene emission rate. The cross-combinations, DCM-31 × Kashi Madhu, DHM-163 × DCM-31, DMM-159 × Hara Madhu, DCM-31 × Hara Madhu, DMM-159 × DCM-31 and DHM-163 × Pusa Madhuras, exhibited highest heterosis for acidity, Na, K, Zn, Mn and Ca content. None of the hybrids excelled in fruit quality, mineral nutrients, and post harvest traits, indicating the importance and need for multiple crossing breeding approaches to improve muskmelon fruit quality, mineral concentration, and post harvest life.