Combining Ability and Gene Action in Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.)

Abstract

Combining ability and genetic components of eleven inbred line of cucumber were estimated following line x tester mating design for qualitative and quantitative characters. Three inbred lines were used as tester. Variance within the treatments, parents, parent vs crosses, crosses, testers and line x tester interaction were highly significant for all the characters. Considering the gca effects the lines CS08, CS16, CS040, CS07 and CS51 were best for their earliness and other horticulture traits. The hybrids CS07×CS08, CS16×CS44, CS51×CS44, CS40×CS08, CS17×CS39 were superior in terms of yield per plant and its component characters. The magnitude of σ²SCA was high in all characters compared to σ²GCA and dominance variance (σ²D) was higher than the additive genetic variance (σ²A) indicating that the predominance role of non-additive gene action. The results indicated the importance of heterosis breeding for effective utilization of non-additive genetic variance in cucumber.