Combining ability and standardized potence in crosses between Cucumis sativus L. × C. hardwickii R.

Six Cucumis sativus (CS) and one Cucumis hardwickii (CH) genotypes were used as parents and their cross combinations were raised in half-diallel fashion. The results revealed that significant difference among the parents and hybrids for fruit number per plot and fruit length. High and significant gca and sca effects for fruit number per plot, fruit length and placental thickness, indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene action. Five crosses between CS × CH showed high and significant standardized potence with high sca effects. The bitterness present in the crosses between CS × CH could be eliminated through back cross breeding in successive generations. The crosses between CS × CS with high standardized potence coupled with high significant sca effects may be considered for commercial exploitation of hybrid vigour. Further, the study revealed that prevalence of both additive and non additive gene action in the inheritance of yield and its contributing characters suggest, reciprocal recurrent selection to be helpful in successive generations for developing transgressive segregants in the crosses between CS × CS.