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Abstract

The genetic parameters were studied to elucidate the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic advance as per cent over mean in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme). Two hybrids ‘Cheramy’ and ‘Sheeja’ were evaluated at the experimental block of the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Sirsi. Uttara Kannada, Karnataka (India)-581 401 during Rabi 2020-21. The results of present investigation revealed that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values are higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for almost all traits which indicates there is a greater influence of the environment on the plants of the F2 population performance. Highest GCV and PCV was observed for number of primary branches per plant, fruit length, fruit width, fruit shape index, pericarp thickness, lycopene content, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per m2 in the both segregating population. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for plant height, number of primary branches per plant, fruit length, fruit shape index, pericarp thickness, number of locules per fruit, TSS, ascorbic acid content, lycopene content, shelf life, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per m2 in both the population. Correlation study revealed that fruit yield per plant had highly positive significant correlation with average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant. Path analysis studies revealed that average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit set per cent, number of locules per fruit, plant height and days to first flowering had direct positive effect with fruit yield per plant indicating the possibility of increasing the fruit yield by selecting these traits in both the segregating populations.