Evaluation of Determinate Tomato Genotypes for Yield Attributes Under Southern Telangana Conditions

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops cultivated worldwide due to its high nutritional value, versatility in consumption, and economic significance. The productivity of tomato largely depends on the availability of high-yielding, location-specific genotypes with desirable horticultural traits. The present investigation was carried out under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops (AICRP–VC) at the Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Hyderabad, during three consecutive Kharif seasons (2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24). The study aimed to evaluate determinate tomato genotypes for yield and yield-attributing traits and to identify superior genotypes suitable for Southern Telangana conditions. Four test entries (JTL-19-08, BT-2-5-21, ATL 18-04 and HT-4) along with two check varieties (Kashi Aman and Punjab Ratta) were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with four replications. Observations were recorded on fruit length, fruit width, average fruit weight and fruit yield per hectare. Significant variation was observed among the genotypes for all the traits studied during all three years. The check variety Kashi Aman recorded the highest average fruit weight and fruit yield per hectare across the seasons, while HT-4 consistently exhibited superior performance among the test entries with respect to fruit size and yield. Based on pooled performance over three years, HT-4 and Kashi Aman were identified as the most promising determinate tomato genotypes for Southern Telangana. The findings of the study provide valuable information for varietal selection, commercial cultivation and future tomato breeding programmes aimed at improving yield and adaptability.