Combining ability and gene action studies for important quality traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Diallel analysis revealed highly significant differences among different tomato genotypes for number of locules per fruit, pericarp thickness, whole fruit firmness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and lycopene content. Significant mean squares for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) indicated joint role of both additive and non-additive gene effect for the expression of quality traits. The predictability ratio of GCA/SCA variance was found less than one for number of locules per fruit, pericarp thickness, whole fruit firmness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and lycopene content showing preponderance of non-additive gene effects. Among parents, UHFT-9, UHFT-10 and UHFT-55 were found good general combiners there for traits studied whereas hybrids viz. UHFT-9 x Solan Lalima, UHFT-10 x Solan Lalima, UHFT-22 x Solan Lalima and UHFT-55 x EC-2798 had more and significant SCA effects for suggesting a scope for the presence and exploitation of heterosis, with regards to the various quality traits in the crosses.