Estimation of genetic variability parameters and trait association in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme)

Abstract

Cherry tomatoes are the smaller version of classic tomatoes but are valued for their sweet taste and captivating colors. They are highly favored by the urban elite and the chefs catering to high-profile restaurants. To formulate selection criteria for utilization in breeding programs, variability parameters, an association between different characters, and direct and indirect effects of component traits of 29 cherry tomato genotypes were assessed under polyhouse conditions. Sufficient genetic variability was found for the morphological and yield traits studied, as revealed by the variance analysis. Plant height, primary branches per plant, days to 50 percent flowering, flower clusters per plant, flowers per cluster, fruits per cluster, days to first harvest, fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, locules per fruit, pericarp thickness, days to final harvest, yield per plant, total soluble solids, lycopene, ascorbic acid, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars showed high estimates of heritability and genetic advance as percent of the mean. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between fruit yield per plant and pericarp thickness (0.727), fruit length (0.685), fruit girth (0.536), fruit weight (0.530), and the number of fruits per cluster (0.386). Principal component analysis identified the primary component (PC1) as the main contributor to variance. Path analysis revealed that fruit length, pericarp thickness, number of fruits per plant, flowers per cluster, and fruit weight had the highest direct effect on yield. These traits were the key factors influencing fruit yield per plant in cherry tomatoes.