Genetic Architecture and Association of Fruit Yield and Quality Traits in Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.)

Kashif Nadeem,Muneeb Munawar,Saeed Ahmad Shah Chishti

doi:10.13189/ujar.2013.010406

Abstract

Information regarding genetic base, nature and strength of association and effect of different yield component and quality traits on final yield is prerequisite of a crop improvement program. Twenty one genotypes of tomato were sown in triplicated complete randomized design to access this information. All traits showed considerable genetic variation with variable environmental influence. Additive gene action was involved in expression of days to 50% flowering, vine length, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight. Dominance played major role for number of fruit clusters per plant and lycopene contents. Number of fruit clusters per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit firmness and lycopene contents had strong positive association with fresh fruit yield per plant at genotypic level. Number of fruit clusters per plant had maximum direct effect on fresh fruit yield followed by fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and days to 50% flowering. It was concluded that number of fruits per plant is more important for varietal development while for hybrid breeding, number of fruit clusters per plant should be main concern along with fruit firmness and lycopene contents.

Highlights

The cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)is a tender perennial crop and is being grown in a variety of climatic conditions.The adoption of tomato in various environments and methods of production and versatility in its uses is attributed to wealth of genetic variation existing in this genus
Pericarp thickness, total soluble salts and lycopene contents had medium to low heritability. These traits with low heritability could be improved through recurrent selection (Cramer and Wehner [9]).Medium to high estimates of genetic advance coupled with high heritability for days to 50% flowering, vine length, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight suggested involvement of additive gene action in expression of these traits
These traits should be considered in selection procedure for varietal development (Bharti et al [10] and Singhet al. [11]).Non additive genes are involved in expression of number of fruit clusters per plant and lycopene contents indicated by medium high heritability and low genetic advance

Summary

Introduction

The cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)is a tender perennial crop and is being grown in a variety of climatic conditions.The adoption of tomato in various environments and methods of production and versatility in its uses is attributed to wealth of genetic variation existing in this genus. Ten fruits (at horticultural maturity) were selected from each tagged plant and data was recorded for fruit weight (FW), fruit firmness (FF), Pericarp thickness (PT), total soluble solids (TSS) and lycopene contents (LC). High heritability estimates for days to 50% flowering, vine length, number of fruit cluster per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight suggested that these traits could be improved through direct selection on phenotypic basis

Results

Conclusion