Evaluation of Yield and Wilt Tolerance Performance of Some Tomato Genotypes Using Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important and nutritionally rich crop, serving as a key source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Enhancing genetic potential is essential to improve yield, disease resistance, and adaptability. This study evaluated fourteen diverse tomato genotypes, collected from Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur to assess their morphological and yield performance. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Significant genotypic variability was observed across all traits, indicating broad potential for selection. PCA explained 47.2% of total variability through the first two components, grouping genotypes into three distinct clusters. Strong positive correlations were found among fruit length, weight, and yield traits, while fruit number showed a greater influence with yield per plant. Genotypes G5, G7, G10, and G11 demonstrated superior yield, desirable fruit characteristics, and low wilt incidence, making them promising for future breeding programs. The results highlight substantial genetic diversity and provide a strong basis for developing high-yielding, disease-tolerant tomato varieties.