Assessment of genetic potential for economically important characters in an intervarietal cross of tomato: P-4-5-2 x UC 82-8

Abstract

Processing industry requires fruits that are firm, having thick pericarp, optimum acidity and high total soluble solids (TSS). To combine all these traits into a single genotype, it is imperative to first study gene effects governing the inheritance of such traits. The material for the present investigation comprised of two parents, F1, B1, B2 and F2 generations derived from the cross P4-5-2 x UC-82-B. The line P4-5-2 is a locally developed high yielding genotype while UC-82-B is a processing variety introduced from USA. Each of three replications comprised of 17 rows representing one row each of P1, P2 and F1; four rows of each back cross (B1 and B2) and six rows of F2. Data on single plant basis were recorded on TSS% (using hand refractometer), pH (using pH indicator papers), number of locules, pericarp thickness (cm), fruit shape index (ratio of polar/ equatorial diameter), fruit weight (g) and yield planC1 (kg). Data were analyzed following the procedure of Mather and Jinks [1]. The model with most number of significant parameters and least X2 value was considered the most fit.