Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
K Sathiyavarsha, D Wilson, VK Yadhuraj, Umesh Chimmalagi, P Dinesh Kumar, G Binolin, J Lydia Pramitha and NB John Kingsly

Abstract:
In this study, the genetic diversity of 20 tomato genotypes was assessed under protected cultivation, focusing on 22 different characters. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among the genotypes. Wide variation was observed for plant height, number of secondary branches, fruit length, fruit width, and fruit yield. The experimental results indicated that the genotype "Thingalur 1" is highly suitable for protected cultivation due to its desirable traits. It demonstrated superior performance in terms of fruit length, Fruit Shape Index (FSI), flowering time, fruit weight, total number of fruits per plant, lycopene content, and ascorbic acid levels. On the other hand, the genotype Kashi Amman exhibited the lowest fruit yield, as well as lower in plant height, secondary branches, number of clusters per plant, and total number of fruits per plant. Genetic parameters such as Genetic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), Genetic Advance, and Heritability revealed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied. High heritability and genetic gain were observed for traits such as days to maturity, days to first flowering, fruit width, fruit yield, secondary branches, fruit shape index, pericarp thickness, number of fruits per cluster, plant height, number of locules, seed weight, seeds per fruit, ascorbic acid content, number of clusters per plant, lycopene content, TSS, the total number of fruits per plant and fruit weight. Selection based on these characters will be effective to isolate superior genotypes.