Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Mahendra Kumar Yadav, DP Singh, Rajiv, Vipul Pratap Singh and Satyendra Kumar

Abstract:
The investigations were carried out to evaluate the 64 genotypes (28 F₁, 28 F₂ and 8 parental lines) of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir.)’ at Department of Vegetable Science, Kalyanpur, CSA. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) during Zaid 2021. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The data were recorded for 19 characters including total fruit yield per plant and its component traits. Mean squares due to general combining ability and specific combining ability were observed to be significant for all traits except gca for flesh thickness in hybrids. Azad Pumpkin-1, Punjab Samrat, DVRP-2-5 and P-35-16 emerged as the most useful parents as either one or all of them were found good general combiner along with high per se performance for most of the traits studied. The best general combiner parents can be used in subsequent breeding programme. Out of the best significant specific crosses with high per se performance for fruit yield per plant and its contributing traits, five crosses Narendra Agrim x Punjab Samrat_, Azad Pumpkin-1 x P-35-16, P-35-16 x P-40-16, Azad Pumpkin-1 x DVRP-2-5 and P-35-16 x DVRP-2-5 were found in hybrid. The crosses with best specific combiner can be used as commercial variety after proper testing and evaluation.