Genetic association analysis for yield and quality traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The present investigation was conducted during Rabi and Kharif seasons 2010–11 at Vegetable Research Station, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Hyderabad (A.P.), India. Thirty- seven tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes were evaluated to estimate the nature and magnitude of associations of different characters with yield/plant, and among the genotypes. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications. Yield/plant showed highest positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with pericarp thickness (r_g= 0.655, r_p = 0.611) followed by average fruit weight (r_g=0.522, r_p= 0.512), fruit length (r_g= 0.350, r_p= 0.309), numbers (nos.) of flowers/plant (r_g= 0.371, r_p= 0.231) as well as negatively significant correlation with days to 50% flowering (r_g= -0.308, r_p= -0.286), which indicated that these traits play important roles in yield improvement. Genotypic and phenotypic path coefficient analyses revealed that positive direct effects were exerted by pericarp thickness, no. of flowers/cluster, shelflife and days to 50% flowering showed negative direct effect. The results clearly imply that direct selection for these characters might be effective in improving the yield.