Combining ability and heterosis in egusi-melon <i>Citrullus lanatus</i> (Thumb.) Matsum and Nakai

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the genetic potential of seven egusi-melon genotypes for seed weight and its components following the diallel mating scheme. Seven parents were selected from among 28 genotypes obtained from indigenous farmers in five ecological zones (forest, derived savanna, southern, northern and Sudan savanna) of Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with four replications. Specific combining ability variance was of greater importance than general combining ability variance in the inheritance of all the traits under study. Okwe-2-IM x KTGO-GMB was the best combiner for number of pods and pod weight per plant while KOGI-NITN x MOKWA-NG was the best combiner seed weight per plant. Positive and highly significant (P<0.01) heterosis was recorded among crosses for number of primary vines, number of pods and seed production efficiency per plant indicating their importance in hybrid development for improved yield.

Keywords

• citrullus lanatus, egusi-melon, combing ability, heterosis, genetic potential