D2 Analysis for Fruit Yield and Quality Components in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Forty-nine tomato genotypes collected from different parts of Jammu region, Indian Institute for Vegetable Research, Varanasi and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India were studied using Mahalanobis D2 Statistics to elucidate the genetic divergence for fruit yield, quality and their contributing characters. The genotypes were grouped into ten clusters by Toucher's method. The cluster I contained highest number of genotypes (13) followed by cluster VII (8), cluster III (7) and cluster IV (7). The cluster IX and X consisted of one genotype each. The intra cluster distance was highest in cluster IV (D=14.90) which accommodated promising genotypes namely RCMT-2, Pant T-8, and CTS-05-35-3 (SPS) having large, round, red fruits with good yield potential. Cluster VI (D=13.81) and cluster VIII (D=13.09) ranked second and third. Sufficient variation in these clusters indicates scope of genetic improvement through hybridization of genotypes available with in the cluster. Lowest intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster IX and X (D=0.00). Highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster IX and X (D=68.99) followed by cluster III and X (D=66.29). Sufficient genetic distance was also observed between the clusters V and III, IX and V and VI and IX. The genotypes which fall in diverse clusters namely PAU 2374, 127-1 Sel., VR 35, PAU 2372, Tomato 169, VR 415, Punjab Chuhara, RCMT 1, Pant T-10; DT-2 and CTS-0516, KS 229, ATL-02-39 and VTG 85, with high inter-cluster distance may be utilized in heterosis as well as in recombination breeding programme to develop heterotic hybrids. Cluster mean analysis indicated cluster II, IV, V and IX accommodated tall genotypes while clusters II, V and X were characterized by higher number of fruits per plant. Pericarp thickness was maximum in cluster III, IV and II. Total soluble solids which is a processing trait was available in genotypes belonging to cluster II and X. Cluster X gave the highest gross yield as well as marketable yield followed by cluster V and II. The genotypes in cluster II, V and X could serve as direct source for development of high yielding open pollinated varieties.