Heterosis for ether extract production and its components in seed of Cucurbita argyrosperma

• Main Authors: Magda Piedad Valdes Restrepo, Sanin Ortiz Grisales, Franco Alirio Vallejo Cabrera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Editorial of Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2017-09-01
• Series: Agronomía Colombiana
• Subjects: heterosis; pumpkins; oilseeds; diallel analysis
• Online Access: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/agrocol/article/view/64253

Twenty-one genotypes (six parental lines and 15 direct crosses) of butternut squash (Curcurbita argyrosperma subsp. sororia) were evaluated at the Experimental Center of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Candelaria (Valle del Cauca, Colombia) during the second semesters of 2012 (2012B) and the first semester of 2013 (2013A). Heterotic effects (average, variety, and specific) were determined for ether extract production per plant (EEPP) and the following components: percentage ether extract (EE) in seed, seed weight per fruit (SWF), 100-seed weight (100- SW), and number of fruits per plant (NFP). The methodology of Gardner and Eberhart (1966) was used in a randomized complete block experiment design with four replicates (five plants per replicate). Variety heterosis accounted for 48% of the variation of total heterosis for EEPP. Variety heterosis was better expressed in 2013 first semester, with significant differences for EEPP, SWF, and 100-SW; average heterosis was significant for EEPP and EE. In 2012 second semester, heterosis was significant for SWF, indicating genetic divergence between hybrids and parents. Introductions 256 and 132 expressed the greatest effects of variety heterosis for EEPP and superior segregants should be selected from these two parental lines. No significant differences were observed on specific heterosis; however, the best hybrid in terms of EEPP at 2013 first semester came from crosses 256×132 and 140×260.