Study of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield parameters in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) germplasm

Forty genotypes of tomato were evaluated for yield and various yield attributing characters at PG student research farm, College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Kharif, 2017. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. High PCV and GCV were recorded for fruit weight (g), fruit yield per plant (kg), yield per ha (t) and total soluble solids indicating the existence of wider genetic variability for these traits in the genotypes. Low estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were observed for per cent fruit set, days to first harvest, days to last harvest and ascorbic acid content suggesting narrow range of genetic variability for these traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean indicates operation of additive gene action, which was observed in characters viz., plant height, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of flower clusters per plant, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, days to first harvest, days to last harvest, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per ha, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, lycopene content and beta-carotene, which showed high level of genetic advance indicating opportunity for better selection response. The results of genetic parameters from the present study may be helpful to the plant breeder in selection of elite genotypes from diverse genetic populations.