Genetic Variability of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes for Growth and Yield Attributing Traits
Puli Vijaya Babu *
Department of Vegetable Science, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu, Telangana, India.
D. Laxminarayana
Department of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu, Telangana, India.
P. Prasanth
Department of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu, Telangana, India.
S. Mallesh
Department of Vegetable Science, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu, Telangana, India.
B. Sai Krishna Nikhil
Department of Genetics and Plant breeding, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu, Telangana, India.
P. Pranusha
Department of Crop Physiology, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Hyderabad, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important vegetable valued for its nutritional content and wide use in fresh and processed forms. Meeting rising demand requires enhanced production through genetic improvement and breeding efforts. The study on genetic variability of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes for growth and yield attributing traits was conducted at PG Students Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Summer, 2024. Randomized Block Design was followed with two replications. The experimental material consisted of twenty-four tomato genotypes. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters under study due to environmental variance. Most of the traits viz., leaf area, stem girth and number of fruits per cluster were exhibited the high heritability. The close correspondence between heritability levels and genetic advance underscores the predominant role of additive gene effects, making these traits reliable for effective selection.
Keywords: Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, GCV, PCV