COMBINING ABILITY OF FORAGE WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) GERMPLASM

Authors

  • Roberta Machado Santos Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Sertão Pernambucano, Ouricuri, PE
  • Natoniel Franklin de Melo Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Petrolina, PE
  • Maria Aldete Justiniano da Fonseca Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Petrolina, PE
  • Mário Adriano Ávila Queiroz Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252017v30n325rc

Keywords:

Diallel analysis. Genetic improvement of forage crops. Semiarid.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify parents and promising hybrid combinations for the improvement of forage watermelon. Five parents were evaluated: BGCIA 996 (1), BGCIA 997 (2), BGCIA 998 (3), BGCIA 228 (4), Jojoba (5) and ten F1 hybrids, which were obtained from balanced diallel crosses. The experimental design was in a complete randomized block, with three replications. The morphoagronomic and bromatological traits were evaluated. The highlights were the progenitors BGCIA 997, BGCIA 998, BGCIA 228 and Jojoba for protein content, fruit yield, in vitro digestibility of dry matter and number of seeds, respectively. The hybrid 1x4 stood out for fruit length, seed number, and ethereal extract. The hybrid 2x3 stood out for rind and pulp thickness while the hybrids 3x4, 3x5 and 4x5 had exceptional digestibility, protein content and fruit yield, respectively. The analysis of the standard deviation of the SCA estimates of both SD (Sij- Sik) and SD (Sij- Skl) indicated that no hybrids were found that had SCA estimates twice that of SD (Sij- Sik) or SD (Sij- Skl), except for the hybrid 1x4 for the number of seeds per fruit. These results suggest that the parents were more promising than the hybrids. Similarly, the GCA estimates favor the intrapopulation method, which will promote greater efficiency in selection for genetic gains.

Downloads

Published

21-03-2017

Issue

Section

Zootechnics