Identification of promising germplasm lines for fruit biochemical, morpho-physiological and yield traits governing shelf life in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken with an objective to evaluate tomato germplasm lines in two consecutive seasons for fruit biochemical, morpho-physiological and yield attributing traits related to extended shelf life in thirty tomato germplasm lines. The results revealed mean performance for all the studied traits were lower in summer compared to those recorded in Kharif indicating the influence of environment on all the characters. Red ball recorded higher values for pH, pulp content and shelf life which can be used as high shelf life donor parent in hybridisation with high yielding variety for development of high yielding with high shelf life hybrid and variety. Pod land pink had higher TSS and lycopene content along with acceptability for remaining fruit characters which can be useful for processing industry. AR-23 and AR-5 manifested highest ascorbic acid content and yield per plant respectively. These can be used as sources of vitamin-C and high yielding ability in hybridization.