Genetic Variability of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes for Growth and Yield Attributing Traits

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.