Heterosis and combining ability for yield traits and its relationship with gene action in muskmelon (Cucumis melo)

Twenty-one F1 hybrids were developed from seven diverse parental lines of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) two horticultural groups, viz. inodorous and cantalupensis through half-diallel mating system evaluated at ICARIndian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during 2017 2018. The component variance for sca (σ2s) was higher than gca (σ2g) all the characters, except average fruit weight, which indicated importance non-additive gene action improvement many traits. predictability ratio degree dominance less 0.5 more 1 yield related traits, further confirmed predominant role variance. parent DHM-163 (P1) identified as good general combiner earliness, whereas DCM-31 (P4) length, weight per plant. Pusa Madhuras (P5) also exhibited highest effects number fruits plant, ofprimary branches diameter negative days to first harvest. hybrid × Kashi Madhu (P4 P6) heterotic value male flower anthesis, female anthesis Three crosses, DMM-159 (P3 P5), (P1 P4) found be best combinations These promising may tested under multi-location trials assess their potential commercial hybrids.