Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes

The present investigation was conducted to generate the information regarding genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance among 23 genotypes. The experiment was laid out during kharif, 2018 in the Randomized Block Design with three replications at P.G research farm, SKLTSHU, Rajendranagar. High analysis of variance (Mean sum of squares for genotype) was recorded for some characters viz., average fruit weight (1236.44), plant height (776.81), number of fruits per plant (360.07), and days to last fruit harvest (208.24) indicated very wide range for these characters. The present study revealed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits. Further, high heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for number of fruits per plant followed by average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, number of primary branches per plant, TSS, beta-carotene content, lycopene content, ascorbic acid content, plant height, fruit length and fruit width. These traits are used for direct selection in crop improvement program.