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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Inherited changeability and trait association studies in round tomato genotype (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for growth, yield and quality traits

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10410
Submitted
2 July 2025
Published
12-05-2026

Abstract

Screening of 10 genotypes of tomato was carried out to understand inherited changeability and trait association studies for yield and its related horticultural traits during the rabi season from 2020-21 to 2022-23. The objectives were to assess the magnitude of variability among traits at both genotypic and phenotypic levels and to determine the correlation and associative relationships among the characters. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), genetic variability, correlation analysis, heritability and genetic advance (GA) estimates. The data revealed significant variation among the genotypes for the various agronomic traits evaluated, indicating the presence of considerable genetic variability. The genotype RHRT-20-21 exhibited early flowering and recorded the highest fruit yield per plant (1.92 kg), while the genotype RHRT-20-24 was recorded maximum fruit weight (83.82 g). The genotype RHRT-20-23 showed the highest number of fruits per plant (31.13) and the maximum pericarp thickness (6.16 mm). The highest polar diameter was observed in RHRT-20-23 and RHRT-20-26 (5.39 cm) and the highest equatorial diameter was recorded in RHRT-20-26 (6.44 cm). The minimum number of locules per fruit (2.32) was found in RHRT-20-21. The minimum fruit yield per plant was recorded in genotype RHRT-20-18 (1.71 kg) and genotype RHRT-20-24 recorded the highest total soluble solids (4.77 °Brix). The genotype RHRT-20-27, RHRT-20-25 and RHRT-20-23 were identified as the most promising genotypes, exhibiting yields significantly higher than the overall mean. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were observed for fruit yield per plot, plant height, number of fruits per plant and number of locules. Traits such as fruit yield per plant, plant height, average fruit weight number of fruits per plant, number of locules and total soluble solids showed high heritability with high GA. Plant height exhibited significant positive correlations with average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, yield per plant and yield per hectare. ANOVA revealed significant differences among genotypes, indicating strong potential for selection and improvement.

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