GENETIC ARCHITECTURE OF YIELD AND QUALITY IN TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum)

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for thirteen quantitative characters were studied in 55 genotypes of tomato during rabi,  season 2008-09. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for all characters. Variability was high for all the characters studied except number of branches per plant and days to 50% flowering for which variability was moderate and low, respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for all the characters except days to 50% flowering indicating the presence of additive gene action in the expression of these characters. High estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were recorded for plant height, days to 50% flowering, number of flowers per cluster, number of flower clusters per plant, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, number of locules per fruit, acidity, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, shelf life and fruit yield per plant suggesting the scope for improvement of these characters through selection