The current study in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was conducted at PAU,
Ludhiana with the objective of developing hybrids possessing combined
resistance to late blight and leaf curl virus diseases along with desirable
horticultural characteristics. The experimental material which included 32
F1 hybrids (developed by line ? tester method), 12 parental lines (8 lines
and 4 testers; including susceptible check Punjab Chhuhara) and standard
check NS-524 were all planted in randomized complete block design with three
replications. The values of ?2SCA/?2GCA were more than unity for all the
traits except average fruit weight and ascorbic acid content, indicating the
predominance of non-additive gene effects. Cross combinations CLN-154 ?
LBR-12 and CLN-154 ? LBR-21 recorded significant heterosis over better
parent and check for fruit yield and other quality characteristics.
Artificial and natural screening was performed for all the experimental
material against late blight and leaf curl virus diseases respectively. Out
of 32 hybrids, crosses namely CLN-154? LBR-12, CLN-154 ? LBR-21, PVB-1 ?
LBR-10, PVB-4 ? LBR-12 and CLN-104 ? LBR-10 were identified for combined
disease resistance against late blight and leaf curl virus, in relation to
desirable horticultural characteristics particularly fruit yield, average
fruit weight, pericarp thickness, dry matter, titrable acidity and ascorbic
acid content with fair amount of heterosis. Hence, the hybrids which
displayed good potential in yield with acceptable performance of qualitative
traits, along with combined disease resistance could be utilized for
commercial exploitation.