Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Superior Recombinant Inbred Lines of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

The study of genetic parameters was conducted to assess genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Sixteen advanced recombinant inbred lines (RILs) along with two commercial varieties, Anagha and Arka Vikas, were evaluated using a randomized block design with three replications.  High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed for average fruit weight (g), number of locules per fruit, pericarp thickness (mm), number of fruits per cluster, fruit yield per hectare (t), fruit yield per plant (kg), number of branches per plant at 60 DAT and number of fruits per plant. This indicates the presence of sufficient variability in the superior RILs studied for the above traits and offers good scope for crop improvement by simple selection strategies. High broad sense of heritability was observed for all the traits studied. High heritability estimates combined with substantial genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) were observed for all traits studied, except for days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, pH, and TSS. This suggests that additive genetic effects predominantly control these traits, indicating that direct selection would be more effective for their improvement.