Evaluation of the genes actions on growth habits of pumpkin in crossing of zucchini ‎and hull-less seeded pumpkin using generation mean analysis

Selecting an appropriate breeding method depends on the type and relative proportion of genetic components. In this study, six generations P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 from a cross between two cucurbita varieties crossing of hull-less seed pumpkin and squash, S10×P25, were constructed and evaluated for main stem length. Yield and its components (number of fruit per hectare, number of seeds per fruit, fruit weight and 100- seed weight) were also evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in 2019. The results showed significant differences among generations for main stem length. Scaling and Chi-square (χ2) tests suggests the presence of digenic epistasis for this trait. According to the results, additive variance was more important for most of the traits, meaning that selection is a good way to improve these traits. High heterosis was observed in the F1 hybrid for all of the traits. High narrow-sense heritability estimates were shown for all of the traits. Therefore, according to the results of estimating the genetic effects of traits, especially traits related to growth habit and reaching a shorter stem length, the selection method can be used.