Genetic evaluation of indigenous and exotic genotypes and hybrids for quantitative and qualitative traits in cucumber

Evaluated 9 parents (6 lines and 3 testers) and their 18 hybrids (F₁ and F₂ each) along with the standard check (Pusa Sanyog) in randomized complete block design with three replications for estimation of magnitude of variability within diverse genotypes and their hybrids for various qualitative and quantitative traits. The observations were recorded on different yield and yield contributing traits. The analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the parents, F₁ (hybrid) and F₂ (residual heterosis) for all the traits studied. The experimental results revealed that among parents LC1–1, CGN-20515, LC-2-2 (lines), Poinsette and K-75 (testers) performed better for majority of traits. Similarly, top five cross-combination viz., LC-1-1 × K-75, LC-2-2 × Poinsette, CGN-20515 × Japanese Long Green, LC-12-4 × Poinsette and CGN-20515 × Poinsette were found superior on the basis of overall mean performance for all the traits under study both in F₁ in F₂ generations. Hence, these parents and crosscombinations can be released as a substitute for existing varieties/hybrid of cucumber and in further breeding improvement programme.