Variance Component Analysis of Quantitative Traits in Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

A study was undertaken to understand the genetics of yield formation traits in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) germplasm collected from Andhra Pradesh, India that has potential for yield improvement. METHODS: Thirty five genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications during late rabi season at the Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for almost all the characters under study except number of fruits per vine indicating presence of sufficient amount of variability in the germplasm under study offering ample scope for improving the population for these characters. The ranges of mean values revealed sufficient variation for all the traits under study. Average fruit weight, fruit cavity length and rind thickness had high magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficients of variation was higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficients of variation for all the seventeen characters under study. CONCLUSIONS: Selection may be effective for days to appearance of first staminate flower, fruit length, average fruit weight, fruit cavity length, fruit cavity width, rind thickness, total soluble solids and seed yield per fruit had high estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean. Key