The genetic divergence in melon lines and hybrids was studied, besides the heterosis manifested in the hybrids produced from lines. The experiments were conducted from September to November/98, in Pacajus, Ceará (Brazil). The treatment consisted of nine lines of cantalupensis, inodorus and momordica groups and ten hybrids produced between cantalupensis x cantalupensis, inodorus x inodorus, cantalupensis x momordica, inodorus x momordica lines types. The best contribution for genetic divergence between lines was shown in total soluble solids and fruit shape. Cucumis melo inodorus and C. melo cantalupensis were grouped together. The highest genetic distance was verified in the hybrids produced with one parental momordica. The smallest genetic distance was observed when both parents were cantalupensis. Favorable heterosis in the hybrids was not always verified when the parents were divergent, whilst hybrids from lines closely related showed this characteristic.
Cucumis melo; genetic diversity
