Heterosis and combining ability for quality attributing traits in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Twenty eight non-reciprocal F₁ hybrids derived from eight diverse cucumber genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications to study the heterosis and combining ability for quality attributing traits in cucumber. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability among all the genotypes for all the traits. The mean square due to gca and sea were highly significant for all the characters indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components for the characters under study. The parent ‘Gy- 14′ was the best combiner for flesh to seed cavity ratio and (β-carotene and Swarna Sheetal was best combiner for ascorbic acid and dry matter content. The cross combination EC-27075 × Summer Kheera had highest sca for total soluble solids whereas Pant Kheera-1 × Japanese Long Green had highest sca for ascorbic acid. The cross combinations, Pant Kheera-1 × Summer Kheera and Swarna Sheetal × EC-27075 had highest sca for mineral content. The cross combination JLG × NCH-1 exhibited maximum heterosis for flesh to seed cavity ratio over better parent (16.67%) and standard check, NS-404 (11.11%) whereas JLG × Summer Kheera exhibited maximum heterosis for total soluble solids over better parent (31.06%) and standard check, NS-404 (34.39%). The study on gene effect of different characters indicated the predominance of non-additive gene effects for most of the characters. Therefore, the improvement for these characters can be achieved through hybrid development.