Manifestation of heterosis in cucumber F1 hybrids according to yield indicators in the forest-steppe conditions of Ukraine

Abstract

The conducted research evaluated the effect of heterosis and the degree of dominance of promising hybrid combinations of cucumber. Twenty-eight hybrid combinations were analyzed for four yield traits: total and marketable yield, yield in the first decade of fruiting, marketable percentage, and average fruit weight. It was established that the effect of heterosis varied depending on the combination of crossing and the investigated trait. The trend of a positive relationship between the values of heterosis and the degree of dominance was revealed: an increase in the degree of dominance was accompanied by an increase in the effect of heterosis. The highest heterosis effect was noted in F1 hybrid combinations: RD 96 2-95 × Fen, Mag 62 × RD 96 2-95, Toma-18 × Fora, BD 96-18 × Fen, Ivol D 96 × Fen, Ivol D 96 × Toma-18, Kozyr. Card × Mag-62. These hybrid combinations are a valuable breeding material for increasing yield.