Evaluation of The Relations between Yield and Yield Components of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Hybrids by Correlation and Path Analysis

Abstract

Tomato is one of the most produced vegetables in the world and there are many plant breeding studies that are carried out on this vegetables species. One of the most important aims of tomato breeding is the improvement of fruit quality and yield in both open-field and greenhouse growing conditions. The knowledge of factors with regard to yield is making plant breeders work easier. In the present study, the correlations of some plant characteristics thought to be related to yield and their direct and indirect effects on yield were analyzed. This study was conducted with 14 genotypes in 2020 and a randomized complete block design was employed as an experimental design. The relationship between 12 traits and yield was determined through path coefficient analysis. It was determined that the number of days from first fluorescence time to first fruit set time and Brix value have a directly negative effects on the yield. However, fruit length and early yield have a directly positive effect on the yield. According to the result of this study, in the correlation matrix, the number of days from first fruit set time to fruit ripening, stem length to first flower cluster, stem length, fruit diameter, leaf diameter, leaf length, average fruit yield and number of fruit per plant are insignificant. The obtained results may be utilized potential as selection criteria in the future studies about yield.