Gherkin elite line selection

Abstract

Gherkin lines were obtained by mass selection cycles in alteration with inbreeding cycles in a F population evaluated by Koch and Costa (1991). The purpose of the present study was to identify and select elite lines with plant uniform ity and desirable fruit characteristics. Seedlings of 71 lines were obtained in a greenhouse and transplanted to a bed covered wit h black polypropylene felt. The plants were grown prostate along the ground, without pruning, in a randomized complete block design, with three replicates and five plants per plot. Three criteria were trendsetters for line selection: lack of dormancy, plant and fruit uniformity, and yield components performance. Based on these parameters, the F 6M5S1 gherkin lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 15, 20, 55, 60, and 63 were selected. These elite gherkin lines were called Paulista Gherkin, due to their contrastin g characteristics in relation to the common type.