Genetic analysis in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) subjected to north carolina mating design-III Singh Nirmal*, Vashisht V. K. Department of Vegetable Science, PAU, Ludhiana-141004, India *Corresponding Author E-mail- nirmalsinghpau@gmail.com
Online published on 2 December, 2023. Abstract Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is an important cucurbitaceous crop relished for its sweet taste. Before starting any breeding programme it is pertinent to know the inheritance of horticultural traits. By studying the genetics of some horticultural traits and the precise estimation of components of genetic variation, the appropriate breeding strategy can be formulated for their improvement. The present investigation was aimed at the mode of inheritance of some horticultural traits in muskmelon by evaluating biparental progenies (BIPs) which were develop and statistically analyzed by North Carolina Design-III. The sixteen BIPs of two crosses, MM-28 × NDM-21 and Hara Madhu × NDM-21were evaluated. For node at which first pistillate flower opens, the BIPs of cross MM-28 × NDM-21 showed that additive genetic variance was significant but variance due to dominance was non-significant.The average degree of dominance was less than one. For polar diameter of fruit, both additive genetic variance and dominance variance were highly significant but the value of additive genetic variance was higher than the dominance variance. The average degree of dominance was more than one. Similarly, both additive genetic variance and dominance variance were significant but the value of additive genetic variance was more than double to that of dominance variance for equatorial diameter of the fruit. The average degree of dominance was near to one. For vine length, additive genetic variance was highly significant but variance due to dominance was non-significant. The average degree of dominance was less than one. Similarly, the BIPs of cross Hara Madhu × NDM-21, exhibiting additive genetic variance was significant and dominance variance was highly significant for node at which first pistillate flower opens. For polar diameter of fruit and equatorial diameter of fruit additive genetic variance was significant but variance due to dominance was non-significant. The value of additive genetic variance was four times more to dominance variance. However, the results showed that both additive genetic variance and dominance variance were highly significant but the value of additive genetic variance was twice to that of dominance variance for vine length. The average degree of dominance was more than one for node at which first pistillate flower opens, which hinted at exploitation of over-dominance for heterosis but other traits have the degree of dominance less than one, these traits can be improved by simple selection methods. Top Keywords Muskmelon, Additive genetic variance, Dominance variance, Average degree of dominance. Top |