Vol. 11, Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Akhilasrinidhi, E Padma, K Usha Kumari, DR Salomi Suneetha and M Paratpara Rao

Abstract:
Muskmelon (Cucumismelo L.) is one of the most important cucurbitaceous vegetables grown as desert crop. As the area under muskmelon cultivation is less and less number of improved varieties are available, there is a need to develop hybrids in muskmelon. The present investigation was carried out with the objective to assess the magnitude and direction of heterosis for growth, earliness and yield parameters during late kharif 2021 and early summer 2022. A total of 15 hybrids were developed by crossing six lines of muskmelon. Hybrids were developed using hand emasculation and hand pollination technique and the developed hybrids were evaluated using RBD design with two replications. The results showed that, the maximum heterosis over mid parent, better parent, and the commercial checks was observed in the cross VRMM-310×VRMM-7 for number of branches per vine. The hybrids VRMM-35×VRMM-7, VRMM-310×VRMM-29, VRMM-37×VRMM-7, VRMM-310×VRMM-37 were found promising for earliness. The cross VRMM-310×VRMM-37 showed significant heterosis over the commercial check in order of merit for fruit yield per vine.