Selection of diverse parents using multivariate analysis in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Evaluation of genetic diversity within germplasm collection is important to plant breeders who desire source of genes for particular traits. Tile twenty five genotypes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) collected from various countries were evaluated for quantitative characteristics in an attempt to differentiate among tile lines. The genotypes could be grouped into seven clusters of phenotypic diversity. There was no correspondence between the geographic collection sites of genotypes and their inclusion in particular cluster. Analysis was useful for identification of potentially different sources of desired traits. It was noticed that the entries of the cluster III and VII showed the maximum distance and the crosses between genotypes in these clusters will produce heterotic hybrids. The use of these genotypes in future breeding programme should greatly help to cross the yield plateau in this crop.