Genetic Variability Studies in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for Yield and Quality Traits

The present study was carried out to investigate yield and quality traits in tomato, in order to generate information regarding the extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic gain. The experiment was laid out during 2014–2015 in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at an experimental farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan. Genetic variability was estimated among 56 genotypes of tomato which were replicated thrice. Analysis of coefficient of variation revealed that, the magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the studied traits. Further, high estimates of heritability and genetic gain were recorded for number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, locular wall thickness and lycopene content. Thereby, suggesting that straight selection for these traits may bring worthwhile improvement in identifying superior genotypes in tomato.

The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the studied traits.

High estimates of heritability and genetic gain were recorded for number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, locular wall thickness and lycopene content.