Vol. 9, Issue 11, Part D (2025)

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an economically and nutritionally important vegetable crop belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The present investigation was carried out at the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, to assess the heterosis and inbreeding depression for key fruit quality traits. The experimental material comprised ten lines and three testers crossed in a Line × Tester mating design, producing thirty F₁ hybrids and their corresponding F₂ populations, evaluated along with parents and a standard check (‘Malini’) in a randomized block design with three replications. Observations were recorded on fruit flesh thickness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, total sugar, dry matter and shelf life using standard analytical methods. Significant positive heterosis was observed in several crosses, notably VRCU-27 × Pant Khira-1 and VRCU-2210 × Pusa Uday for fruit flesh thickness, TSS and ascorbic acid content, while dry matter and total sugar also exhibited moderate heterotic response. Inbreeding depression was negligible for most traits, suggesting additive and partial dominance gene actions. No significant standard heterosis over the check variety was detected, indicating limited scope for commercial exploitation of heterosis in these specific crosses. Study identified promising hybrids with superior fruit quality traits that can be effectively utilized in selection breeding programs aimed at developing nutritionally rich and longer-shelf-life cucumber varieties.