Sarkar et.al.

PRG 117 X PRG 137 (-47.37%) and PRG 117 X PRG

showed significant heterobeltiosis out of which 2

131 (-42.11%). The magnitude of standard heterosis

exhibited positive heterosis over better parent. The

for that trait ranged from -59.26% (PCPGR 7256 X

maximum heterobeltiosis was found in PRG 132 X

PRG 142) to 44.44% (PCPGR 7256 X PRG 137). For

PRG 120 (70.00%) followed by PCPGR 7256 X PRG

check parent 12 crosses showed significant heterosis

142 (40.00%). The degree of standard heterosis for

in which 6 recorded negative heterosis over check

that trait ranged from -27.27% (PCPGR 7256 X PRG

parent. The maximum standard heterosis was found

137) to 54.55% (PRG 132 X PRG 120. For check parent

for the cross PCPGR 7256 X PRG 142 (-59.26%)

10 crosses showed significant heterosis in which

followed by PRG 142 X PRG 137 (-29.63%) and

8 recorded positive heterosis over check parent.

PRG 117 X PRG 137 (-25.93%). In case of days taken

The maximum standard heterosis was found for

to Ist fruit harvesting the level of heterobeltiosis

the cross PRG 132 X PRG 120 (54.55%) followed by

varied from -14.49% (PRG 117 X PRG 132) to 17.83%

PRG 131 X PRG 132 (36.36%) and PRG 117 X PRG

(PCPGR 7256 X PRG 142). 19 crosses showed

142, PRG 117 X PRG 131, PRG 117 X PRG 137 and

significant heterobeltiosis out of which 16 exhibited

PRG 131 X PRG 7 were holding the third position

desirable negative heterosis over better parent. The

(27.27%). These results of present investigation are

maximum heterobeltiosis was found in PRG 117 X

similar to the report of Singh and Pal (1949). They

PRG 132 (-14.49%) followed by PRG 131 X PRG 132

noticed 57.5% hybrid vigour in ridge gourd. Thakur

(-13.04%) and PRG 142 X PRG 132 (-12.32%). The

and Singh (1968) found 4 F1 hybrids in ridge gourd

magnitude of standard heterosis for that trait ranged

were early maturing than their parents. Similar

from -9.30% (PRG 117 X PRG 120) to 17.83% (PCPGR

report was given by Sharma (1975) in musk melon.

7256 X PRG 142). For check parent 17 crosses showed

Early male and female flower anthesis and early

significant heterosis in which 13 recorded negative

maturity in musk melon has been reported by More

heterosis over check parent. The maximum standard

and Seshadri (1980. Pitchaimuthu (1991) recorded

heterosis was found for the cross PRG 117 X PRG

significant hetrosis for vine length in bottle gourd

1420 (-9.30%) followed by PRG 117 X PRG 7 (-8.53%)

over better and top parent. Similar results were

and PRG 142 X PRG 131 (-7.75%). For vine length the

also reported by Janakiram and Sirohi (1992). Luo

scale of heterobeltiosis ranged from -29.75% (PRG

et al. , (2000) reported that hybrids in ridge gourd

120 X PRG 7) to 59.01% (PCPGR 7256 X PRG 117).

were early maturing and higher yielder than their

20 crosses showed significant heterobeltiosis out

respective parents under South China condition.

of which 5 exhibited positive heterosis over better

parent. The maximum heterobeltiosis was found

Conclusion

in PRG PCPGR 7256 X PRG 117 (59.01%) followed

The present study was a preliminary attempt

by PRG 137 X PRG 7 (22.83%) and PCPGR 7256 X

to identify suitable parental genotypes and to

PRG 7 (9.87%). The degree of standard heterosis for

develop superior early F1 hybrid having profuse

that trait ranged from -15.88% (PRG 120 X PRG 7) to

vegetative growth. Keeping the results in mind it

59.66% (PCPGR 7256 X PRG 131). For check parent

can be concluded that the gca and sca effects were

20 crosses showed significant heterosis in which 15

highly significant for all the character studied which

recorded positive heterosis over check parent. The

indicated that both additive and non additive gene

maximum standard heterosis was found for the

actions were important in the inheritance of these

cross PCPGR 7256 X PRG 131 (59.66%) followed

characters. Therefore, in improvement of these traits,

by PRG 131 X PRG 132 (58.80%) and PCPGR 7256

both selection and heterosis methods of breeding

X PRG 117 (48.50%). Regarding the trait number of

can be adopted. The crosses which showed high sca

primary branches the level of heterobeltiosis ranged

effects can be best utilized in heterosis breeding and

from -33.33% (PCPGR 7256 X PRG 137 and PRG 137

the response to selection is expected to be the best in

X PRG 120) to 70.00% (PRG 132 X PRG 120. 6 crosses

the crosses involving parents having high gca effects.

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