Gene Action Studies in Gynoecious Cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) Lines under Mid Hill Conditions of Western Himalayas

Abstract

Genetic improvement of crop plants is a continuous process and plant breeders continuously strive for developing
new varieties, which are high yielding and superior to the existing ones. The success of a breeding programme
lies in the choice of appropriate parents and the breeding method followed. Therefore, the experiment was
carried out involving gynoecious lines in cucumber at Palampur and Bajaura, to identify suitable parents and
gather information on gene action. The line × tester analysis revealed signifi cant diff erences due to lines, testers
and line × tester interaction at both the locations for most of the traits, indicating appreciable diversity in the
experimental material. Estimates of general combining ability eff ects, necessitates inclusion of lines G-3, G-1,
Plp-Gy-1 and EC-5082 and the testers K-pap, Sel-75-2-10, K-90 and KL-1 for making crosses which was
corroborated by the superiority of their cross combinations. The estimates of GCA and SCA variances pointed
out that for majority of traits, non-additive gene action was in appreciable magnitude suggesting the exploitation
of hybrid vigour in cucumber.