The objective of this work was to evaluate the heterosis in dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). The experiment had six parent clones (CCP 06, CCP 09, CCP 76, CCP 1001, C1P3, and P399E) and 18 hybrid plants. A randomized complete block experimental design with two replications and five plants per plot was used. The average heterosis was 12%, 19%, 98%, 97%, and -2%, for the parent clones, based on the traits plant height, canopy diameter, number of nuts per plant, nut yield, and nut weight. It should be pointed out the presence of hybrid vigor in all crosses for all traits, except nut weight. This stresses the importance of hybrid vigor exploration, with perspectives of significant genetic improvement of the cashew culture, by obtaining superior commercial clones and establishing base-populations for the population breeding program. The hybrid combinations CCP 06 x C1P3, CCP 09 x P399E, and CCP 09 x CCP 06 are the most promising.
Anacardium occidentale L.; hybridization; plant breeding
