Abstract
The purpose of this study was to estimate the general and specific combining ability of melon hybrids to identify the best combinations. Six parents and their respective hybrids were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with three replications. The following traits were assessed: total number of fruits, average fruit weight, yield, longitudinal diameter, transversal diameter, flesh thickness, internal cavity size, flesh firmness, and soluble solids. The traits total fruit number, yield, flesh firmness and soluble solids content are controlled by additive and non-additive effects, while average fruit weight, longitudinal diameter, flesh thickness, internal cavity size are controlled by additive effects. The most appropriate crosses for breeding of Cantaloupe, Honey dew, Piel del sapo, Meloa and Amarelo melon are, respectively: Gold Mine x Hy Mark, AF-646 x AF-1749, Meloa x Rochedo and AF-646 x Rochedo.
Highlights
Cantaloupe or muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the main crops grown in northeastern Brazil
Melon is an important sector of agribusiness in Brazil because it attracts foreign exchange and employment to the semi-arid Northeast, triggering regional development (Crisóstomo et al 2008)
One key aspect is the choice of parents for the breeding of improved lines, since the improvement process is long
Summary
Cantaloupe or muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the main crops grown in northeastern Brazil. The continuous implementation of new technologies has led to a constant expansion of the melon agribusiness in Brazil. Melon is an important sector of agribusiness in Brazil because it attracts foreign exchange and employment to the semi-arid Northeast, triggering regional development (Crisóstomo et al 2008). For the breeding of this vegetable, germplasm is available including from accessions collected on small farms to hybrids developed by seed companies, representing a source of numerous possible crosses to generate lines. In this context, one key aspect is the choice of parents for the breeding of improved lines, since the improvement process is long. Chosen parents would result in no profit, but in a waste of time and resources
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