Generation mean analysis to estimation gene action and heritability of significant ‎traits associated with cantaloupe fruit (Cucumis melo L.)‎

In order to determine the inheritance mode and estimation of genetic parameters of important traits associated with fruit in cantaloupe the generations of P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 obtained from the cross Ginsen Makuwa × Samsoori were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field experiment. Generation mean analysis showed that flesh green color index, flesh brightness index, fruit width, fruit weight, flesh thickness and seed cavity diameter are controlled by additive, dominance and epistasis effects. The higher additive affect (a) in fruit length and flesh crispy index implying that selection will be effective for improvement of these traits in early generations. Higher dominant effect (d) for mean fruit weight, flesh green color index, flesh brightness index, fruit width, fruit shape index, sugar content and seed cavity diameter showed that hybrid development is a suitable way for improving them. High narrow-sene heritability estimates (0.78) were found for fruit shape index. The results of this study showed that it is possible to select desirable plants from segregating populations and selfing them to produce suitable lines for future generations that have the desirable traits of both parents. The best plants were selected in the segrigating generations and their seeds were collected in order to continue the breeding program.