Genetic analysis in muskmelon (Cucumis melo) subjected to north Carolina mating design

The present investigation was aimed at the mode of inheritance of important horticultural traits in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) by evaluating biparental progenies (BIPs) which were developed and statistically analyzed by north carolina design-III. The sixteen BIPs of two crosses, IC-274014 ' Punjab Sunheri (cross-I) and IC-274014 ' MM-28 (cross-II) were evaluated. For node at which first pistillate flower opens, the BIPS of Cross-I and Cross-II exhibited significant additive genetic variance while dominance variance was non-significant and average degree of dominance was less than one. In cross-I, polar diameter of fruit showed significance at both additive genetic variance and dominance variance but additive genetic variance was more than twice of dominance variance. While in cross-II, additive genetic variance was highly significant and dominance was non-significant and average degree of dominance was less than. For equatorial diameter, additive genetic variance was significant and dominance variance was highly significant in cross-II while additive genetic variance was highly significant and dominance variance was non-significant in cross-I and average degree of dominance was less than one. In the characters where dominance variance is more than additive genetic variance the heterosis breeding can be suitable option of breeding. However, in other cases where additive genetic variance is more than dominance variance along with high heritability, it can be fixed in the inbred lines and inbred lines can be utilized for making new hybrids