Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

280 BREEDING CROP PLANTS
1. A knowledge of the botanical relationship and wild relatives
of the fruit are necessary if greatest progress in improvement is
to be obtained.
2. Some varieties and species transmit their characters to a
much greater degree than do other varieties. A knowledge of
the more prepotent varieties materially aids in planning a cross.
3. Varieties selected as parents should contain in the highest
degree possible the character or characters desired in the progeny.
4. The larger the numbers of progeny grown, the greater the
chances of obtaining the combination desired.
5. Most fruit crosses give variable progeny in FI. Numerous
crosses should; therefore, be made.
6. Information regarding the mode of inheritance of particular
characters will assist in selection of varieties to be used as parents.