Gene-gene correlation, path coefficients and the genetic variability of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes

Abstract

Indian tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) have produced stable yields since the last lustrum. An improvement is essential to enhance their production and productivity. Crop improvement in this solanaceous vegetable depends on the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advancement. Thus our study examined genetic variability, heritability, correlation, and path coefficients of 46 advanced tomato lines to determine the association between yield and morphological traits. Most of the traits studied under this experiment had higher phenotypic coefficient values than genotypic coefficient values, indicating the expression of environmental influences. Among nine different characters studied, the fruit number plant -1 showed high variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficient values with the highest yield plant -1 . A greater dissimilarity coefficient value is associated with higher heterosis. In breeding programs, lines showing a higher dissimilarity coefficient value should be considered. Tomato genotypes BT-215-3-3-1 and BT-2 selected based on the fruit number plant -1 may be used for the future hybridization program.