Interference of genotype-by-environment interaction in the selection of inbred lines of yellow melon in an agricultural center in Mossoró-Assu, Brazil

Abstract

The aims of this study were to i) identify the influence of the GxE interaction in theselection of inbred lines of melon, and ii) test the efficiency of different indexes in the selection of inbredlines with a higher yield potential and better quality fruit. For these purposes, 98 inbred lines of yellowmelon and two commercial controls, Vereda and AF-646, were evaluated in a randomized block designwith two replications, at the conditions present in Mossoró and Baraúna. Analyses of the following traitswere performed: fruit yield, mean fruit weight, pulp thickness, pulp firmness and soluble solids content. Acomplex portion of the GxE interaction was predominantly detected for all traits. The recommendation inthis case is to promote selection in each environment. Alternatively, selection based on the average behaviorof the inbred lines is the strategy that generates the greatest gains, approaching those obtained throughdirect selection in each specific environment. The selection indexes aimed at reducing the expression of alltraits proved to be best for both locations. The index constructed for Baraúna allowed the selection of agreater number of inbred lines with a higher yield potential and better quality fruit and, thus, greaterefficiency.