Heterosis in Pumpkin for Earliness, Yield, and Yield-Related Characters

Abstract

ABSTRACTHeterosis breeding can be used to achieve improvement in quantity, quality, and productivity of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.). A Line × Tester mating design was used to study standard heterosis for earliness, yield, and yield-related characters in pumpkin during 2009–2010. Thirty-six hybrids, developed by crossing 12 lines with three testers and a commercial check, ‘MPH 1’, were evaluated for earliness, yield and yield related characters and indicated presence of heterotic vigor. The hybrid ‘Kasi Harit’ × ‘Avinashi Local’ had negative relative standard heterosis for the node at which the first female flower appears, sex ratio, fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, and total carotenoid content. Heterosis for days to appearance of the first female flower, days to first harvest, sex ratio, fruit number per vine, flesh thickness, and total carotenoid content was in the desired direction in ‘Vadhalagundu Local’ × ’CO 2’. Estimates of standard heterosis for fruit yield indicated that hybrid ‘Kasi Harit’ × ‘Avinashi Local’ had the highest positive value followed by hybrid ‘Vadhalagundu Local’ × ‘CO 2’. These hybrids had high heterosis for most component traits and can be used for exploitation of heterosis and released as promising hybrids after multilocation testing.