Abstract
For the estimation of genetic parameters (such as heterosis effect, potence ratio, combining ability and reciprocal effects) of five fruit traits, in order to suggest breeding strategies in Citrullus mucosospermus (Fursa), a field trial was carried out at Kononfla city in Western Cote d’Ivoire using 4x4 full diallel. All 12 F1 hybrids and their parents were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. A positive heterosis effect relative to mid-parental values was observed to hybrids having one parent Bebu for characters’ fruit weight, fruit diameter and fruit volume. Variances due to general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities were significant (PE‚0.001) for all studied traits, indicating the involvement of both additive and non-additive gene actions in the inheritance of these traits. Non-additive gene effects were predominant for all studied traits. Bebu was the best general combiner for all traits except fruit number which the best combiners were three morphotypes of Wss. For NF, Wss1×Wss2 and Wss2×Wss3 recorded the highest positive SCA values. Crosses involving Bebu as one parent, presented the best SCA values for other traits. Key words: Bebu, Wlewle small seeds, heterosis, potence ratio, combining ability.
Highlights
In Côte d‟Ivoire, the term “pistachio‟‟ is used to designate the oleaginous cucurbit species including Citrullus mucosospermus (Fursa) (Zoro Bi et al, 2003)
A positive heterosis effect relative to mid-parental values was observed to hybrids having one parent Bebu for characters’ fruit weight, fruit diameter and fruit volume
Concerning agronomic performances, the results showed that cultivar Bebu and accessions of Wlêwlê small seeds (Wss) have very contrasted traits
Summary
In Côte d‟Ivoire, the term “pistachio‟‟ is used to designate the oleaginous cucurbit species including Citrullus mucosospermus (Fursa) (Zoro Bi et al, 2003). This species belongs to Citrullus genus of cucurbitaceae family and is native to West Africa where it was domesticated (Chomicki and Renner, 2015). C. mucosospermus or egusi watermelon is specially cultivated for its oleaginous seeds which have nutritive, therapeutic, social and economic values (Adetutu et al, 2015; Kumawat et al, 2017). The "egusi" seeds are reported to be rich in nutrient such as carbohydrates (10.45 to 26.30%), proteins (21.78 to 30.42%) and lipids (41.78 to 56.08%) (Marie et al, 2015). The seeds are good sources of amino acids, vitamins (B1 and B2) (Abrefa et al, 2002) and minerals
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