Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression for Yield of Pickling Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Hybrids

Abstract

Currently, both hybrid and inbred pickling cucumber cultivars are being grown commercially in the United States. Heterosis for yield in pickling cucumber has been previously reported. However, heterosis has not been repeatable in other studies. The objective of this study was to determine the existence of heterosis and inbreeding depression for yield in pickling cucumber. Six pickling cucumber inbreds (`Addis', `Clinton', M 12, M 20, `Tiny Dill', `Wisconsin SMR 18') were hybridized to form four F1 hybrid families (`Addis × M 20, `Addis' × `Wis. SMR 18', `Clinton' × M 12, M 20 × `Tiny Dill'). Within each family, F2, BC1A and BC1B generations were also formed. Thirty plants of each generation within each family were grown in 3.1-m plots for four replications in the spring and summer seasons of 1996 at the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Clinton, N.C. Data were collected at once-over harvest for total, marketable, and early yield in terms of number (1000 fruit/ha) and weight (Mg/ha). In addition to yield, a fruit shape rating was collected for each plot. High parent heterosis for yield (total and marketable fruit weight) was only observed for `Addis' × `SMR 18' grown in the summer season. The three other families did not exhibit heterosis for total, marketable, and early yield. Heterosis for shape rating was not observed for any family. `Addis' × `Wis. SMR 18' also exhibited inbreeding depression for total fruit weight, marketable fruit weight, early fruit number, and early fruit weight during the spring season and for marketable fruit number and marketable fruit weight during the summer season.