Heterosis and Dominance Degree for Valuable Economic Traits in F1 Cucumber Hybrids Grown in a Greenhouse
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30835/2413-7510.2026.129.05Keywords:
Cucumis sativus, breeding, yield, marketability, earlinessAbstract
The purpose of the study was to comprehensively evaluate heterosis and dominance degree for the main valuable economic traits in parthenocarpic F1 cucumber hybrids and to identify the most promising combinations for breeding practice. The study was conducted in a greenhouse of the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing of NAAS in 2021–2025. Hybrids yielded 14.6-22.8 kg/m²; the marketability ranged from 76 to 90%; and the average fruit weight was 82–91 g. The predominance of non-additive genetic effects (hp > 1) for yield traits was noted. The heterosis level for yield varied within 84–120%. The highest effect (120%) and pronounced overdominance (hp = 7.3) were found in the F1 hybrid ‘Kuzia / Park’. Heterosis for marketability (X = 91–106%) and earliness (X = 94–106%) indicate the prevalence of additive or partially dominant inheritance of these traits. PCA confirmed the dominant contribution of yield to the overall phenotypic variability of the studied genotypes. After standardizing the indicators (Zᵢⱼ) within the experiment, the cumulative index, i.e. breeding value, was calculated as the sum of weighted standardized values. The highest index was recorded for F1 ‘Park / Kuzia’ (0.948) and F1 ‘Kuzia / Park’ (0.936), indicating their high complex value. Combinations involving the lines ‘Kuzia’, ‘No. 11’, and ‘Park’ had the highest heterosis and overdominance for the studied traits, confirming their usefulness as sources of high combining ability in the breeding of intensive greenhouse hybrids. Thus, the complex application of several parameters (heterosis, dominance degree, and breeding value) and multivariate analysis allows for the justified identification of promising genotypes for developing competitive cucumber hybrids. The combination of lines with a high complex value and sources of intensive heterosis creates prerequisites for further improvement of breeding programs.
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