The goal of this study was to learn more about the nature and extent of genetic diversity, heritability, and genetic progress in cherry tomatoes for various growth, yield, and quality traits. Ten diverse lines of cherry tomato were crossed in diallel fashion (excluding reciprocals) and evaluated for genetic variability studies in open field conditions. The experimental findings revealed that the phenotypic variation and the genotypic variation were equal in magnitude for all the traits indicating less influence of environment on all these traits. High PCV, GCV, and genetic advance as percent mean was observed for several fruits plant-1, average fruit weight (g), fruit yield hectare-1 (q), reducing sugar (%), non-reducing sugar (%), total sugars (%), titratable acidity (%) and ascorbic acid content (mg100g-1), indicating the additive genetic effect. Phenotypic selection for their improvement could be achieved by simple selection.

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Seed germinating ability and stand establishment determine the management options in crop production system. Physiological advancement of seeds through priming is a simple and cost-effective method to improve the germinability and stand of any crop. Studies were performed on seed invigoration through hydropriming at the division of PHT, SKUAST-Kashmir during the year 2016 to optimize the hydropriming duration for improved germi-nation and seedling vigour of okra (Pusa sawani) and parsley (curly type). Freshly harvested seeds were soaked in normal water for varying durations (okra- 12, 18 and 24 h; parsley- 24, 48 and 72 h) at (25±2°C) and re-dried to original moisture content at room temperature. Fifty seeds of each treatment were cultured in 14.0 cm Petri dishes lined with 5 layers of moist blotting paper. Observations on various germination parameters were recorded at (25±2°C). Priming of okra seeds for 18 h resulted in highest FGP (85.7%), GE (66.5%), GI (36.7), SDB (29.1mg) and SVI (2.49) coupled with minimum values of T50 (2.75 day) as well as MGT (2.38 day). However, the highest FGP (78.7%), GE (48.7%), SDB (3.13 mg), GI (12.8) and SVI (0.25) together with minimum T50 (7.2 day) and MGT (6.5 day) in parsley was recorded with 24 h priming duration. As such priming duration of 18 and 24 hours at 25±2°C were found optimal for enhanced and rapid seed germination with vigourous seedlings.