Development of indeterminate tomato hybrids suitable for growing in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh during summer and rainy seasons

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a member of family Solanaceae. In this study, heterosis for fruit yield, fruit transportability, nutritional quality and disease tolerance traits was studied in 15 hybrids developed from 6 diverse pure lines of indeterminate tomato crossed by following half-diallel mating scheme. The clear cut motive of this study was to develop indeterminate tomato hybrids suitable for growing in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh to meet the demands of distant markets of North India during their off-season. Heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for fruit yield traits, pericarp thickness, nutritional quality and disease tolerance traits were recorded significantly positive in three cross combinations viz. Solan Lalima x EC-1055, Solan Lalima x EC-1057 and Solan Lalima x EC-1058. Solan Lalima, EC-1055 and EC-1057 were found to be good general combiners. Predominance of dominant gene action was observed for traits included in this study. On the basis of this study, above mentioned three cross combinations can be recommended for evaluation at multi-locations and further commercialized in regions with off-season production potential.