Assessment of heterosis and combining ability for enhancing quantitative traits in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

The research aimed to examine the quantitative characteristics of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir) among different genotypes and hybrid combinations. The research took place during 2024 and 2025 at the Main Experimental Station, Department of Vegetable Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The study analysed with 13 characters of F1 hybrids and parents evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications half diallel mating design. Promising parent genotypes Narendra Upkar, NDPK-23-7 and VRPK-2362 were identified based on them per se performance. The hybrid combination VRPK-2362 x Narendra Agrim, VRPK-2307-02 x Narendra Upkar and NDPK-23-7 x Narendra Amrit exhibited exceptional results in terms of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis. Parents NDPK-23-7 followed by VRPK-2307-02, VRPK-2362 and VRPK-23303 demonstrated strong general combining ability for several traits. Notably, specific combining ability analysis identified hybrids such as VRPK-2362 x Narendra Agrim followed by VRPK-2372 x Narendra Upkar and VRPK-23303 x Narendra Agrim as promising for multiple traits. The study highlights the significance of quantitative in Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir and explores practical approaches for enhancing these attributes through hybrid breeding techniques. It underscores the potential of genetic improvement in developing superior pumpkin varieties with improved health benefits and consumer appeal.