New gherkin cucumber lines to create F1 heterotic hybrids

Abstract

Aim. To create and evaluate new bee-pollinated gherkin cucumber parental lines for the heterosis breeding of cucumber hybrids in open ground. Results and Discussion. The breeding experiments (in the collection and breeding nurseries) were conducted in open ground at the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing of NAAS in 2016-2019. In order to obtain new forms and to create lines, inbreeding and individual selections were used in accordance with traditional breeding methods. The farming technique was standard for this climatic zone. Based on the experimental results and literature review, models of cucumber genotypes with specified parameters were developed to implement the gherkin cucumber breeding technology. Due to the developed models and as a result of breeding for open ground, two gynoecious bee-pollinated gherkin cucumber lines for open ground have been created: BD 96-18 and Tomа-18. The lines are early-ripening (44 days), high-yielding (25.3–26.6 t/ha, or + 26–34 % to the yield from the check cultivar, Dzherelo). They are relatively resistant to downy mildew (7 points). The taste is excellent. Plants bear predominantly female flowers. Cukes are cylindrical and short (6–9 cm). The lines are intended to be used as parental forms. Conclusions. The new lines have been involved in breeding to create competitive heterotic gherkin cucumber hybrids. As of today, several F1 hybrid combinations have been derived from the new lines and the breeding work with them is going on The lines have been submitted to the NCPGRU of the Plant Production Institute named after VYa Yuriev of NAAS.