Path coefficient analysis of yield and quality components in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

At the Vegetable Research Station of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University in Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 57 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes were evaluated during Rabi 2010–11. Of all the characteristics examined, the number of fruits per cluster (0.2423, 0.7974) and the number of primary branches per plant (0.1611, 0.4320) had the strongest direct beneficial effects on fruit output at the phenotypic and genotypic levels, respectively. The number of primary branches per plant, plant height, number of flowers per cluster, average fruit weight, and fruit length were the main mediators of the strongest positive indirect effects on yield that were seen for the number of fruits per cluster. Additionally, strong genotypic correlation was found between plant height and seed yield, followed by lycopene content, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, flowers per cluster, and fruits per cluster. Selection for fruit production, number of flowers per cluster, and number of fruits per plant would be most effective based on the combined analysis of direct and indirect impacts as well as correlation coefficients.