Genetic divergence and breeding potential in cherry tomato {Solanum lycopersicum (L) var cerasiforme Mill}

Genotypes, collected from various Indian research institutes, were cultivated in a randomized block design with three replications at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Mahalanobis’s D² analysis was employed to assess genetic divergence and the contribution of individual traits. The D² analysis grouped the genotypes into six clusters. Cluster I was the largest with 16 genotypes, followed by Cluster II (3) and Cluster V (2), while Clusters III, IV and VI each contained one genotype. Intra-cluster distances showed Cluster V (6.23), Cluster I (5.55) and Cluster II (4.90) as the most genetically diverse within themselves. Inter-cluster distances revealed the highest divergence between Cluster II and Cluster V (14.47), followed by Cluster I and Cluster V (14.24), indicating significant genetic dissimilarity for parental selection. Cluster mean analysis provided insights into trait performance. Yield per hectare was highest in Cluster IV (26.97 tonnes), followed by Cluster III (26.00 tonnes) and Cluster V (23.97 tonnes). Single fruit weight was notably highest in Cluster II (15.37 g). For quality traits, total soluble solids (6.19 °Brix), total sugars (2.04 mg/100 g) and lycopene (8.22 mg/100 g) were highest in Cluster IV. Total carotenoids (18.13 mg/100 g), total phenol (0.54 mg/100 g) and total antioxidant (1.94 μ mol AA/g) were highest in Cluster VI. These findings suggest that genotypes from highly divergent clusters, particularly Clusters IV, V, VI, III and I, could be effectively utilized in hybridization programmes to develop superior cherry tomato varieties combining high yield and enhanced quality.