Combining ability studies for fruit yield and its components in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

General and specific combining abilities were estimated using 9 lines of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and 4 testers and their F1 hybrids, bred in line x tester fashion. The present study revealed that none of the parent was best combiner for all the traits indicating differences in genetic variability for different characters among the parents.Analyses of variance were found significant for crosses with respect to yield and its components traits except fruit equatorial diameter. The additive gene action was found for characters such as plant height and number of branches per plant. The preponderance of non-additive gene action was observed in the inheritance of days to 50% flowering, number of clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, total number of fruits per plant, days to first harvest, fruit yield per plant, average fruit weight, numbers of locules per fruit, pericarp thickness, total numbers of pickings, fruit polar diameter, fruit equator diameter, days to last harvest, total soluble solids and acidity %.