Studies on heterosis and combining ability for yield and resistance to early blight in tomato

A study was conducted for estimation of heterosis and combining ability for yield and resistance to early blight in tomato. Five parents including two early blight resistant and three early blight susceptible genotypes were crossed in a half diallel fashion and the resultant 10 F₁ hybrids along with their parents were evaluated for yield, its component characters and resistance to early blight. Based on the heterotic performance and magnitudes of SCA effects in desirable direction for yield and its related attributes, Feb-2 x Pusa Sheetal and Feb-2 x Pusa Gaurav were found to be the best in terms of yield potential (2.88 and 2.80 kg/plant, respectively), and also exhibited moderate resistance to early blight with a disease intensity of 32.51 and 36.29%, respectively. Further, these hybrids being determinate and early in nature, are suitable under short season conditions of Delhi and adjoining areas. The above two hybrids offering multiple advantages of yield, resistance to early blight and earliness can be recommended for commercial cultivation.