HETEROSIS FOR YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS IN PUMPKIN (CUCURBITA MOSCHATA DUCH. EX. POIR.)

Abstract

An 8 x 8 half diallel cross of pumpkin was evaluated with parents for heterotic manifestation of yeild and yield attributing characters. Heterosis to the extent of 17.8, 18.1, 70.0, 150.0, 68.7, 48.4 and 181.5 per cent over better parent was recorded for vine length, number of primary branches, female flowers and fruits per plant, average fruit weight, flesh thickness and yield per plant respectively. The crosses between high x low performing (gca) parents exhibited greater hybrid vigour. Heterosis for yield wa generally accompanied by heterosis for yield components. Ten promising crosses were identified for developing high yielding. Fl hybrids/varieties of pumpkin with many desirable traits.