Triple test cross analysis for epistatic components in a cross between Thai melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon) and cantaloupe (C. melo var. cantalupensis)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate whether epistasis was significant in the genetic components controlling fruit characters of a cross between Thai melon and cantaloupe. The 15 families obtained from crossing 5 F₂ plants (derived from a cross between Thai melon and cantaloupe lines) to their parents and F₁ progenies, were planted together with their parental lines, F₁ and F₂ (total 23 entries) in the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 2 replications. Statistical analysis showed that families were significantly different (P<0.01) for all studied traits except fruit width and fruit cavity width. Significant differences (P<0.01) were found between Thai melon and cantaloupe lines for all fruit traits. The results from the genetic analysis revealed that additive × dominance and dominance × dominance epistatic components were significant (P<0.05) for fruit length, fruit cavity length, fruit shape index and fruit flesh thickness.