Inheritance of parthenocarpy in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Summary

The inheritance of parthenocarpy in cucumber is conditioned by an incomplete dominant gene P. In the homozygous condition PP produces parthenocarpic fruits early, with the first developing generally by the fifth node. Heterozygous Pp plants produce parthenocarpic fruits later than homozygous plants and fewer in number. The homozygous recessive pp produces no parthenocarpic fruits.

Trapping of pistillate flowers was effective in identifying homozygous PP plants but failed in accurately identifying heterozygous plants. Screened cages or field isolation of gynoecious lines are efficient means of accurately identifying all parthenocarpic plants.