Utilization of F1 hybrids is motivated due to the advantages to producers, particularly yielding increases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential yield of 12 inbred lines (S5 ) of two populations of Japanese cucumber: population RY = (Rensey x Yoshinari) and population TT = (Tsuyataro x Taisho) and 18 experimental hybrids obtained from a circular partial interpopulation diallel. The experiment was carried out from January to April, 2008. The treatments were arranged in a randomized blocks design, with 33 treatments (18 experimental hybrids, 12 lines and three commercials hybrids: Tsuyataro, Taisho and Yoshinari), with four replications and five plants per plot. Fruit yield per plant, total and marketable; percentage (%) of marketable fruits; average mass of marketable fruits; length, diameter and relation length/diameter (L/D) of fruits were evaluated. Treatment means were compared by the Scott Knott test (5%). Line (TT2) and six experimental hybrids (H16, H26, H11, H43, H54 and H15) were as productive as, or more than, the best commercial hybrid, Tsuyataro. In general, the heterosis for fruit yield was positive and high, while heterosis for fruit characteristics (length, diameter, relation L/D and average fruit weight) was of smaller values.
Cucumis sativus; breeding; yield; hybrids
