Correlation and path analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for yield and yield contributing traits

Abstract

The evaluation of sixteen genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were carried out at Vegetable Research Farm of Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, B.H.U., Varanasi-221 005, Uttar Pradesh during Rabi season of 2016- 2017. Genotypic correlations were comparatively higher than the respective phenotypic correlations for most of the traits. Average fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, number of locules per fruit and number of seeds per fruit showed significant positive correlation with yield (q/ha) indicating that selection for higher yield through these traits would be effective. Path coefficient analysis indicated highest positive direct effect towards yield via. days to 50% flowering followed by fruit width, total soluble solids and average fruit weight. These traits may be given more emphasis for direct selection of high yielding tomato genotypes in future breeding programmes.