Generation Mean Analysis of Yield and Yield Components of Early Generations of Interspecific Crosses of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Background and Objective:Yield is the most important agronomical trait; thus, it is involved in virtually all tomato selection programmes.The aim of this study was to assess the performance of early generations of tomato genotypes and improve on the characters of yield and yield components.Methodology: The trial included six tomato genotypes P 1 , P 2 , F 1 , F 2 , BC 1 F 1 and BC 2 F 1 .They were grown at the Horticulture Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Crops Research Institute (CRI) Kwadaso, Kumasi during 2014/2015 cropping season.It was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.Results: The F 2 genotype was superior for plant height, stem girth, total marketable fruit yield, fruit length, fruit diameter and brix.It was however, late maturing.The F 1 , BC 1 F 1 and BC 2 F 1 genotypes outperformed the parentals in terms yield.Conclusion: Considering yield and yield components, F 2 was found to be better than the rest of the genotypes for most of the characters.The F 1 was found to be the poorest performer for almost all parameters measured.