Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore 560 089
1Department of Olericulture, KRC College of Horticulture, Arabhavi 591 310, Karnataka
The 45 F1 hybrids obtained by crossing 15 powdery mildew resistant lines to each of 3 testers (commercial varieties) were evaluated for fresh and dry weight of roots, stems, leaves and fruits. Significant variability was observed among the entries for dry weight of roots, stems, leaves and fruits. Dry-matter distribution pattern of parents as well as F1 hybrids was similar as the highest percentage of dry matter was distributed in fruits, followed by leaves, stems and roots. Among the parents, total dry-matter content varied from 3.5 g/plant (PMR 27) to 25.96 g/plant (PMR 59), whereas in F1 hybrids it varied from 3.06 g/plant (PMR 56 × IHR 1023) to 32.16 g/plant (PMR 28 × IHR 1023). Per cent dry-matter distribution in fruits varied from 1% (PMR 38) to 56% (PMR 57) among the parents and from 20% (PMR 68 × AM) to 58% (PMR 28 × IHR 1208) among F1 hybrids. High fruit yield of F1 hybrids is attributed to high total biological yield as well as high partioning efficiency. Correlation studies revealed that fresh weights of roots, stems, leaves and fruits are good indicators of respective dry weights.
