general and specific combining ability and heterosis estimation of some cucumber lines for qualitative traits in partial diallel design

partial diallel design can be used to investigate the general and specific combining ability, and heterosis. combining ability and heterosis were studied in a 6×6 partial diallel cross to see the nature of gene action for fruit quality indices in cucumber (cucumis sativus l.) during 2007 to 2009. analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the f1 hybrid means and their respective six parental values for all the traits examined. the mean squares of general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) were also highly significant. sca genetic variances were greater than gca and more important for the seedcell size, showing the additive and non-additive gene action. fruit color was controlled by additive type of gene action due to high gca variances. fruit shape and overall performance were controlled additively and non-additively due to high general combining ability. line 605 and 118 were found to be the best general combiner and its utilization produced valuable hybrids with desirable sca f1 hybrids.