Diallel analysis of yield and quality traits of melon fruits

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the general and specific combining ability of melon hybrids to identify thebest combinations. Six parents and their respective hybrids were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with threereplications. The following traits were assessed: total number of fruits, average fruit weight, yield, longitudinal diameter, transversaldiameter, flesh thickness, internal cavity size, flesh firmness, and soluble solids. The traits total fruit number, yield, flesh firmnessand soluble solids content are controlled by additive and non-additive effects, while average fruit weight, longitudinal diameter, fleshthickness, internal cavity size are controlled by additive effects. The most appropriate crosses for breeding of Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Piel del sapo, Meloa and Amarelo melon are, respectively: Gold Mine x Hy Mark, AF-646 x AF-1749, Meloa x Rochedo andAF-646 x Rochedo.

Keywords

• Cucumis melo
• combining ability
• choice of parents
• selection.