Genetic Dissection for Yield and Fruit Quality Traits in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

The genetic variability for yield, its attributing, and fruit quality traits using 38 tomato genotypes was studied. High significant differences among the genotypes were found for all recorded traits. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was greater than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits indicating the presence of environmental influences. Most of the traits expressed moderate to high heritability. Plant height, number of seed/fruit, chlorophyll content in top leaf, red fruit weight, number of fruit/plant, soluble solid content in exocarp and endocarp of red fruit, titratable acidity of red fruit juice, lycopene content, beta-carotene and yield/plant had high heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of the mean. Yield/plant exhibited a significant positive correlation with number of fruit/plant, number of flower/bunch, red fruit girth, red fruit length and red fruit weight. Path analysis revealed soluble solid content in endocarp of red fruit, number of fruit/plant, plant height, number of bunch/plant, number of flower/bunch, number of seed/fruit, green fruit length, red fruit girth, red fruit length, red fruit weight, lycopene and beta-carotene content had direct positive effect on yield/plant. Principal component analysis depicted first eight PCs with Eigen-value higher than one contributing 76.74% of total variability. Thirty-eight genotypes grouped into seven clusters where cluster II contains maximum genotypes. Based on the mean performance, genotypes Tm-131 and WOP-10 for yield and ascorbic acid content; Puli-25, VI005584 and Tm-2 for total soluble solids; VI-063607 and VI-0337183 for lycopene and beta-carotene content may be considered as superior genotypes which can be used as potential genetic resources for the development of nutritionally rich high-yielding tomato variety.