Correlation and path analysis for yield and its contributing traits in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) Under the protected environment

Abstract

Twenty seven genotypes of tomato were evaluated under modified naturally ventilated polyhouse at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur during spring summer season, 2015-16 to study the correlation and path analysis in diverse genotypes of tomato. Genotypic correlations were comparatively higher than the respective phenotypic correlations for most of the traits. Number of marketable fruits/plant, plant height, internodal length and average fruit weight were the main traits which showed significant positive association with marketable yield/plant indicating that selection for higher yield through these traits would be effective. Path coefficient analysis indicated that number of marketable fruits/plant had the maximum direct contribution towards marketable yield/plant followed by average fruit weight and fruit shape index. These traits may be given more emphasis for direct selection of high yielding tomato genotypes in future breeding programmes.