Genetic Architecture and Association of Fruit Yield and Quality Traits in Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.)

Abstract Information regarding genetic base, nature and strength of association and effect of different yield component and quality traits on final yield is prerequisite of a crop improvement program. Twenty one genotypes of tomato were sown in triplicated complete randomized design to access this information. All traits showed considerable genetic variation with variable environmental influence. Additive gene action was involved in expression of days to 50 % flowering, vine length, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight. Dominance played major role for number of fruit clusters per plant and lycopene contents. Number of fruit clusters per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit firmness and lycopene contents had strong positive association with fresh fruit yield per plant at genotypic level. Number of fruit clusters per plant had maximum direct effect on fresh fruit yield followed by fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and days to 50 % flowering. It was concluded that number of fruits per plant is more important for varietal development while for hybrid breeding, number of fruit clusters per plant should be main concern along with fruit firmness and lycopene contents