Combining ability studies in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

For the development of superior hybrids, estimates of general combining ability of parents and specific combining ability of the crosses help in proper selection of parents for hybridization. The high estimates of gca were exhibited by K-90, G2 and Gyn1 for most of the characters. In general, there was a close agreement between gca effects and per se performance but in certain cases, it did not hold good which may be due to higher degree of gene action involved. The superior cross combinations which recorded high sca estimates and per se performance for yield and number of fruits were K-90 x G2 and K-90 x Gyn1 and hence, may be exploited for the development of F1 hybrid (s) after testing their performance at multi-locations for 2-3 years.