Yield, parthenocarpy and sexual expression of 'caipira' cucumber lines under protected cultivation

The yield capacity, parthenocarpy and sexual expression of 'caipira' cucumber lines were evaluated under protected cultivation. Yield capacity was evaluated in an experiment in randomized blocks design with 18 treatments (16 lines and two 'caipira' hybrids, Safira and Guarani), four replicates and five plants per plot, in a greenhouse with opened laterals to permit the entrance of pollinators. Sexual expression and parthenocarpy were evaluated in similar design, with 16 lines of SHS population (F2BC1 from the crossing between hybrids Safira and Hatem-beith alpha type) and 19 of GH population (F-2 from the crossing between hybrids Guarani and Hatem), but this experiment was set up in closed greenhouse, with anti-aphid net, avoiding the entrance of pollinators. Parthenocarpy was evaluated verifying fruit set in each line. Many lines were statistically similar to hybrids in yield capacity, but none was superior. Hybrids Safira and Guarani yielded 23.1 and 19.1 fruits plant(-1), and 21.9 and 17.5 commercial fruits, respectively. Total and commercial weights plant(-1) were respectively 3.8 and 3.6 kg for hybrid Safira and 2.9 and 2.7 kg for hybrid Guarani. Line SHS-2 presented good yield, similar to both hybrids, with light 'caipira' fruit type, besides parthenocarpy and gynoecious plants. All lines from population SHS have 'caipira' fruit type, but only five were parthenocarpic. In population GH, nine lines were parthenocarpic and ten have 'caipira' fruit type. Two lines from population SHS have only monoecious plants, with the others segregating to gynoecious and monoecious plants. In population GH, all plants were gynoecious. SHS population is more interesting to obtain lines because the 'caipira' fruit type is more similar to commercial fruits.