Genetic variability and character association analysis for yield and attributing traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes for protected cultivation

Abstract

The present study was carried out with fourteen genotypes of tomato at Polyhouse Complex, Department of Horticulture (Veg. & Flori.), BAU, Sabour during 2018-2019 to assess the genetic variability and character association for yield and attributing traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes for protected conditions. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Data were recorded for sixteen morphological traits and five biochemical traits. The experimental results revealed considerable differences among the genotypes for all the traits except titratable acidity and β- carotene. Higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV) were observed for no. of flowers/truss, no. of locules/fruit, no. of fruits/truss, fruit yield/plant, no. of fruit/plant, average weight of fruit, final plant height, titratable acidity, lycopene, ascorbic acid and β-carotene indicating phenotypic selection for these traits was effective for enhancement. High heritability together with high genetic advance as % of mean was observed in all traits except days to fruit picking. Based upon correlation and path coefficient analysis characters like no. of flower /truss, equatorial diameter, pericarp thickness and no. of fruit /plant could be reliable selection parameters for evolving high yielding genotypes.