Diallel Analysis for Yield and Quality Characteristics in Melon

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the effects of general and specific combinatorial fitness in parents and progeny on yield and fruit quality related traits of melon.
 Study Design: A completely randomized block design with three replications was used to estimate the analysis of variance and the effects of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). The genetic analysis was carried out based on the Griffing Method II dialelic design (1956) with fixed effects model. Tukey P=.05 mean comparison analysis.
 Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in two stages. In stage 1, seed production of the parents and crosses was carried out at the Physiotechnical Greenhouse of the of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Coahuila. Mexico, between April and July 2021. In stage 2, the evaluation of the parents and progeny was carried out between August and November 2021 in the agricultural field "La Jaroza", Paila, Coahuila. México.
 Methodology: In the present study, seven melon parents were analyzed. The parents were crossed in all possible combinations, without reciprocal crosses, resulting in 21 progenies, a total of 28 genotypes evaluated.
 Results: The results showed significant differences between genotypes, general and specific combining ability effects (GCA and SCA) for almost all variables, except fruit number. The parent "(E x L)" showed the best yield and GCA effects, and participated in most of the outstanding crosses in yield, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, flesh thickness, seed cavity and soluble solids. The "N x (E x L)" progeny excelled in yield and average fruit weight in SCA.
 Conclusion: The parent "(E x L)" showed the best yield and GCA effects and participated in most of the outstanding crosses in yield, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, flesh thickness, seed cavity and soluble solids. The progeny "N x (E x L)" excelled in yield in SCA.