Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis studies in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for growth and yield traits

The present investigation involving sixteen genotypes (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S15, and S16) of tomato was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) during 2022-2023 at Faculty of Agriculture Farm, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo. The observations were recorded for growth, quality and yield characters. The result revealed that maximum plant height was recorded in genotype S13 (215.33 cm). The maximum number of primary branches was recorded in S8 (16.00) which is followed by S13 (15.00), S7 (14.67), S5 (13.00). All varieties were having acidic pH except for S7 and S13 genotypes were basic in nature with 7.733 and 8.30, respectively. The minimum TSS (4.27) was recorded in S9. The maximum average fruit weight was recorded in S13 (63.73 g). The maximum yield was recorded in S5 (2.43 Kg/plant) followed by S1 (2.38 Kg/plant), S6 (2.22 Kg/plant), S15 (2.14 Kg/plant). The path analysis estimates indicated that plant height, Days of last fruit harvest, pH , TSS, Plant height, Pericarp thickness, Number of locules, Number of fruit per cluster, Average fruit weight, Number of fruit per has highest positive direct effect on total yield per plant. Therefore out of all sixteen varieties S5 is showing significantly highest yield, S12 is showing maximum number of fruit per plant, whereas S13 is showing maximum fruit weight. So, these are promising genotypes which can be used for further commercially exploited or can be used in breeding programme for more refined development.