Evaluation of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes for Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics

Abstract

The investigation was carried out at Research Farm of the Tomato Improvement Scheme, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during the summer season of 2020. The data exhibited significant variations in 36 tomato genotypes for different qualitative and quantitative characters. The maximum plant height (124.59cm) was recorded in the genotype RHRT-15-21.The genotypes RHRT-15-4, RHRT-15- 17, RHRT-15-19, RHRT-15-20, RHRT-15-21, RHRT-17-1, RHRT-17-2 and RHRT-17-5 were observed indeterminate plant growth habit. The maximum number of branches plant-1 observed in RHRT-15-4. Genotype RHRT-15-7 and RHRT-15-4 were found early flowering which required 30 and 31 days for 50% flowering,respectively.Number of fruits plant-1 recorded highest in RHRT-15-4 and RHRT-15-23. The maximum polar diameter of the fruit was recorded by the genotype RHRT-15-3 (6.91cm) followed by RHRT17-9, RHRT-17-4 and RHRT-15-14. The maximum equatorial diameter shown by RHRT-17-9 (5.96cm) followed by RHRT-15-23 and RHRT-15-4, respectively. The fruit yield plant-1 of tomato evaluated varied significantly among the 36 genotypes, ranging from 0.68 to 1.93 kg plant-1. The general mean value of genotypes was 1.15 Kg. The minimum fruit yield plant-1 was recorded with genotype RHRT-17-10, while maximum with genotype RHRT-15-4. The genotype RHRT-15-4 gave the highest yield of 51.57 t ha-1. The highest TSS content of fruit was recorded with the genotype RHRT-15-24. The findings of this study may provide valuable information about phenotypic characteristics of tomato genotypes for crop improvement programme, vegetable experts and vegetable growers under summer season.