Exploring genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in hybrids of tomato in Trans-Gangetic Plains region

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop valued for its nutritional quality, wide adaptability and economic significance. The present study was conducted to evaluate genetic variability, character association and genetic diversity among tomato accessions for yield and its contributing traits. The experiment was carried out during the spring-summer season of 2020 and 2021 at the experimental field of horticulture, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University. A total of 26 tomato accessions, comprising 6 repatriated genotypes and 20 hybrids developed through a full diallel mating design, were evaluated in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications and 15 quantitative and quality-related characters. Significant variation was found among the different germplasms for all characters. Yield and yield contributing characters showed high heritability along with genetic gain, indicating major role of these characters in expression of these characters. Yield per plant exhibited a strong and positive relationship with number of fruits per plant, fruit width, fruit length and mean fruit weight. Path coefficient analysis indicated that the number of fruits per plant and reducing sugar content exerted the highest positive direct influence on yield. Principal component analysis explained 81.70 % of the total variation through five components. Cluster analysis grouped accessions into two major clusters irrespective of geographic origin, indicating wide genetic diversity. Accessions T10 and F1022 were identified as the most divergent and may serve as promising parents for yield improvement in tomato breeding programs.