an estimation of combining ability for yield and its components, using the diallel analysis in iranian cantaloupe cultivars

a study of the combining ability and gene effects, that can obtained through diallel cross analysis provides considerable information to breeders for a design of breeding programs. inheritance and genetic control of yield and its components were studied in a full diallel cross for seven iranian cantaloupe cultivars namely: rish-baba, shah-abadi, samsouri, dastjerdi, magasi-neyshabour, till-toroq, and savei. analysis of variance revealed significant differences within genotypes. the general combining ability, specific combining ability and reciprocal effects were significant for all the traits. rish-baba parent benefited from the highest positive general combining abilities for the number of fruits, flesh thickness, and as well for yield. furthermore, the cross rish-baba × savei exhibited the highest specific combining ability for the traits yield and number of fruits. favorable heterosis based on the superior parent was observed for yield, fruit weight, number of fruits, and as well for fruit length. additive gene actions played a more important role in controlling the traits of fruit length, fruit width, and flesh thickness, while the role of non-additive gene actions was more conspicuous than those of additive gene actions in controlling the traits of number of fruit, fruit weight, and yield.