Diversity Pattern, Elucidating Choice of Parents for Hybridization from Exotic Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) Genepool

An evaluation trial of 75 lines of exotic germplasm of tomato was conducted to identify suitable parents for high yield, biotic and abiotic stresses at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Ranchi in the year 1999–2000. The analysis of variance showed high and significant differences for all the characters studied. Data were subjected through Mahalanobis D² multivariate analysis and subsequently genotypes were grouped into 10 clusters. The heat tolerant tomato lines EC-238508 and EC-238308 from cluster V and VII were selected for utilization in the breeding program. The exotic line EC-238308 not only possessed heat tolerance but also resistance to early blight. The bacterial wilt resistant lines EC-326142, EC-180188, EC-164672,EC-241 147, EC-251677-1 and EC-368785 were identified from clusters II, IV, VI and VII. The tomato lines possessing high TSS, high fruit firmness belonged to cluster I (EC 2511579) and cluster II (EC-241 147, EC-320571 and EC-321425-C). The tomato lines possessing marker characters like potato leaf marker (EC-164665, EC-165665, EC-164336 and EC-326142-B) belonged to cluster IV, VI and VII. Similarly, lines with stem pigmentation and hairiness appeared in cluster III and VI. Tomato lines possessing long-styled flowers for natural cross pollination studies (EC-251518 and EC-164336) belonged to VII.