Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Y Madhavi, RVSK Reddy and C Sreenivasa Reddy

Abstract:
A set of 18 F1 hybrids developed as a result of line x tester mating design involving six lines and three testers were evaluated in randomized block design in three replications for heterosis in tomato fruit characters. Heterosis to the extent of 25.48, 37.75, 28.59 and 18.94 over mid parent and 20.61, 25.35, 28.38 and 16.54 over better parent was recorded for number of flowers per cluster, fruit length, fruit width and pulp yield respectively. Standard heterosis over Lakshmi to the extent of 11.76, 36.30, 17.17 and 21.03 was recorded for number of locules per fruit, pericarp thickness, total soluble solids and ascorbic acid content respectively and over US-618 to the extent of 13.61, 40.19, 20.18 and 22.17 was recorded for number of flowers per cluster, fruit length, fruit width and pulp yield respectively. Studies on heterosis revealed that majority of the hybrids exhibited relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis in desirable direction. The crosses like LE-62 × Pant T-3, LE-64 × Punjab chhuhara, LE-67 × Pant T-3 and LE-56 × Punjab chhuhara for number of flowers per cluster, fruit length, fruit width and pulp yield respectively exhibited high standard heterosis, which offers scope for commercial exploitation through heterosis breeding.