QTL Conditioning Yield and Fruit Quality Traits in Cucumber(Cucumis sativusL.)

Abstract

Abstract Yield in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. var. sativus) is conditioned by interrelated traits that are affected by environment. Characterization of yield components and the effects of environment on their expression are critical to plant improvement. Earliness, and fruit yield and quality components of cucumber were investigated by examining cross-progeny (BC and S3) derived from a wide mating [gynoecious Cucumis sativus var. sativus line GY14 X monoecious C. sativus var. hardwickii (R) Alef. PI 183967]. A molecular marker map constructed from F2 individuals was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for each trait examined, and to assess the consistency of QTL across 1991 and 1992, and two planting densities (29,000 and 58,000 plants ha−1). QTL affecting earliness (days to anthesis and number of barren nodes), fruit yield (fruit number and weight at two harvest times) and shape [length (L), diameter (D), and L:D ratio] were identified. The traits examined were less affected by planting densi...