This study was carried out to investigate the nature of genetic behavior of
economical traits in squash at two locations. These locations were EI-Bramoun
Research Station (ARC) and Kalabsho Research Station, Fac. of Agric. Mans.
University.
Complete diallel cross mating design was used to obtain 12 F1 hybrids among
four parental varieties. The results cleared the presence of significant genetic
variability among evaluated genotypes as well as among genotypes by locations
interactions. The results also indicated that the means of most studied traits of the F1
hybrids significantly exceeded the mid-parents. Thus, significant values of heterosis
versus the mid-parents were obtained.
The highest values of heterosis were 135.4% for white buch x Giado in F.Y./Pt (kg)
from the combined data and 167.0% for Eskandrani x Zucchino 544-005 at the
second location for the same trait.
The results also revealed the presence of some promising F1 hybrids which exceeded
the better parent and showed desirable heterosis values against the better parent (
B.P). The highest value of heterosis (B.P.) was 194.6% for F.Y./Pt.(kg) at the second
location for the F1 hybrid (Giado x Zucchino 544-005).
The results of the analysis of variance of diallel crosses mating design
indicated that the mean squares of GCA, SCA, GCA x Land SCA x L showed highly
significance for most studied traits at each location and over both locations.
Concerning genetic parameters, the results illustrated the importance of both
additive and non- additive genetic variances including dominance in the inheritance of
studied traits. The obtained heritability values in broad sense were larger than their
corresponding values in narrow sense for all studied traits.
The results also investigated that the Eskandrani and White buch were the
best combiners in the second location and the first location, respectively for most
studied traits.