Heterosis and Combining Ability of Melon Genotypes of Momordica Group

The objective of this study was to estimate, through partial diallel cross, the combinatorial capacity of melon genotypes of the Momordica group and the expression of heterosis in the hybrids obtained for the characters: mean fruit mass (MFM), mean fruit length (MFL), mean fruit diameter (MFD), fruit length/diameter ratio (LDR), fruit internal cavity (FIC) and mean pulp thickness (MPT). Forty-one treatments (26 Hybrids and 15 parents) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications, conducted in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, between February and June 2015. The results showed the importance of the additive and non-additive genes effects, with a greater participation of additive gene action in the control of most characters. In accordance with estimation of the general combining ability – GCA, the genitors G-03, G-11, G-14, G-16 and G-18 were the ones that presented the best results for MFM, MFL, MFD and MPT. The effect of the specific combining ability – SCA was important in controlling the majority of the characters, in 30.7% of the hybrid combinations and in 15 of them the heterosis was positive for MFM, MFL, MFD and MPT. The genotypes presented good productivity, thick pulp and satisfactory fruit size and can be used in breeding programs to obtain superior genotypes.