Genetic variation, component association and direct and indirect selections in some exotic tomato germplasm

Genetic variability, genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, genetic advances, component association and path-coefficient analysis were done for 9 characters in 75 exotic genotypes of tomato belonging to both determinate and indeterminate groups. Considerably high amount of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were found for plot yield, plant height, fruit firmness, TSS and number of locules. Very high heritability estimates along with high genetic advance were observed for fruit weight, fruit length, fruit breadth and pulp thickness due to additive gene effect. Hence selection pressure particularly be applied on these characters for yield improvement in tomato. Very high and significant positive correlation coefficients were observed between plot yield and fruit weight, fruit length and fruit breadth, number of locules and pulp thickness. Fruit length showed very high positive direct effect on yield followed by fruit breadth, number of locules, plant height and fruit firmness.