Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Regional Horticultural Research Station, Bqjaura, Kullu 175 125 (HP.)
A study was undertaken to estimate the general and specific combining ability in tomato through line × tester analysis involving 12 lines (females) and 2 testers (males). The combining ability analysis revealed that the variances due to lines and crosses were significant for all the traits studied. The mean squares due to testers and lines × testers were significant for all the traits except fruit weight, plant height and days to maturty respectively. Among parents, the lines BTL-33 and BTL-11 and tester Roma proved the best general combiners for yield and its component traits. The best specific cross-combinations were BTN-46 × Roma, BTL-11 × AC-402 and BTR-49 × Roma. The best cross-combinations did not necessarily involve good general combiners as their parents. Based upon the contribution of lines, testers and their intereactions, it was evident that the variability among the crosses was mainly due to the contribution of lines only.
