Abstract
ABSTRACT: Melon or muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is of considerable economic importance in Brazil. Nearly all the cultivars currently grown are hybrids. Heterosis has been used to advantage in the melon plant, and the use of uniform hybrids is one of the reasons for successful cultivation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the agronomic potential of yellow melon lines and hybrids. An experiment was conducted in randomized blocks with three replications to evaluate 24 hybrids generated by crosses among three elite lines used as female parents (AF-01, AF-02, and AF-03) and eight lines used as male parents (LAM-01, LAM-02, LAM-03, LAM-04, LAM-05, LAM-06, LAM-07, and LAM-08). Yield and fruit quality traits were evaluated. Partial diallel analysis was carried out to estimate general combining ability and specific combining ability. Additive and non-additive effects were observed for the yield, mean fruit weight, and pulp thickness traits. The lines AF-02, LAM-02, and LAM-03 are the most promising as parents as they more frequently have favorable alleles. The most prominent hybrids in diallel analysis were AF-02 x LAM-02, AF-02 x LAM-03, AF-02 x LAM-04, and AF-03 x LAM-06.
Highlights
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is the most economically important cucurbits in the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil
The significance of the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) indicated the presence of additive and non-additive effects involved in genetic control of the trait
The GCA and SCA depend on the allele frequency of the parents involved in the diallel and on the level of dominance of the trait
Summary
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is the most economically important cucurbits in the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil. The crop has a significant social impact because it utilizes a large number of laborers throughout the year, it is estimated that the melon production chain directly and indirectly involves more than 60,000 jobs (NUNES et al, 2016). Growing melon in the semi-arid region of Brazil has been successful mainly because of environmental conditions, such as low annual rainfall (30 oC), and intense sunlight (2500-3000 hours of sunlight year-1). The crop is developed by a production sector that uses high technology with modern techniques of irrigation, many inputs, and a sophisticated post-harvest structure for export of quality fruit to the European market. One of the most important inputs is seed from breeding programs, especially single hybrid seed (NUNES et al 2016)
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