Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the performance of hybrids and their parents for identify promising hybrids and the objectives to develop single cross hybrids and estimate heterosis , some genetic parameters , phenotypic and genotypic correlation for studied characters. A field experiment was conducted in the Field Dept. of Hort. & Landscape Design , College of Agric. & Forestry , Mosul University during two growing seasons 2009 and 2010. Four varieties of Melon viz , (1-Alkosey , 2-Al-Mostkabil (Syrian) , 3-Ananas and 4-Hales Best Jumbo) were used in a Complete Diallel Crosses , during growing season 2009. Genotypes (parents and F1s hybrids) were sowing during growing season 2010 , by using Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three replications. Results showed that parents and F1s were significantly different for all studied characters , the parent Ananas was higher than for seed yield , and the parent Alkosey for the total yield. Whereas the hybrid 1x3 was characterized by the highest for seed yield , and the hybrid 1x2 for the total yield. The hybrids showed significant superiority over parents means for all the studied characters , the hybrid 1x3 was significantly higher than other for heterosis for seed yield , and the hybrid 1x2 for the total yield. A significant additive variance were found for all studied characters except the date complete flowering , fruit length and weight. Narrow sense heritability was higher for: no. of nodes pre first male flowering , seed and total yield , which indicated additive gene action for these characters. Over dominance were found for most studied characters. The higher phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found between the date male and complete flowering.
