Studies on heterosis for yield and yield attributes in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex. Poir.)

An 8-parent half-diallel cross was evaluated with parents for heterotic manifestation of yield and yield components. Heterosis to the extent of 37.7, 28.6, 76.9, 142.9, 96.3, 48.9 and 188.7% over better parent and 52.1, 36.9, 89.6, 161.5, 109.9, 68.9 and 197.1% over mid-parent was recorded for vine length, number of primary branches, female flowers, fruits/plant, average fruit weight, flesh thickness and yield/plant respectively. Yield heterosis was the cumulative effect of heteroiss for most yield attributes. Vine length and number of branches did not contribute much towards yield. The crosses between high × low performing (gca) parents exhibited greater hybrid vigour. Eight promising hybrids were identified for developing high-yielding F1 hybrids/varieties of pumpkin with desirable fruit characters.