Study of Genetic Divergence in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Present investigation was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during 2018-19 (Rabi). About thirty genotypes were evaluated for 15 growth, yield and quality characters which were grouped into six clusters. Cluster I topped in having maximum of ten genotypes followed by cluster IV and V with seven genotypes each, cluster II with four genotypes, while cluster III and VI were monotypic (one genotype each). The maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster IV (550.48) followed by clusters IV (490.54), cluster II (397.02) and cluster I (379.42) which were identified genetically divergent. The maximum inter cluster distance was noticed between cluster VI and III (7043.88) and lowest between cluster II and I (596.75). The genotypes of cluster VI recorded maximum mean values for number of flower per cluster, fruit per cluster and number of fruits per plant while average fruit weight and fruit yield per plant maximum values were recorded in genotypes belonging to clusters V. Among the fifteen characters studied ascorbic acid content contributed highest divergence followed by average fruit weight have a major role in improvement of fruit yield in tomato.