Evaluation and Selection of Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var. cerasiforme Mill.] Genotypes for Growth and Yield Contributing Characters

The present study was conducted to evaluate the cherry tomato genotypes for growth and yield contributing characters under shade net conditions. Among the twenty four genotypes used, the tallest plant at final harvest was recorded by the genotype Pant Cherry Tomato 1 (266.22 cm) while, number of primary branches plant-1 at final harvest was found to be the highest in LE 13 (16.53). The earliest days to first flowering was noted in LE 315 (26.40 days) which was followed by IIHR 2753 (27.53 days). The maximum inter nodal length of main stem was recorded by Pusa Cherry Tomato 1 (3.69) and maximum stem girth was noted in LE 13 (5.64 cm). Pusa Cherry Tomato 1 recorded the highest number of flowers cluster-1 (51.20) while, LE 13 recorded the highest number of flowering clusters (truss) plant-1 (103.07). The highest number of fruits cluster-1 was observed in Pusa Cherry Tomato 1 (17.07) followed by Pant Cherry Tomato 1 (13.80) and LE 87 recorded the highest number of fruit cluster plant-1(59.21). The highest per cent fruit set was noticed in IIHR 2754 (83.94 per cent) and highest number of fruits plant-1 was recorded by the genotype Pant Cherry Tomato 1 (360.80) followed by Pusa Cherry Tomato 1 (326.70). The genotypes VGT 95, Pant Cherry Tomato 1 and Pusa Cherry Tomato 1 recorded minimum number of locules (2.00). The single fruit weight was ranged from 3.28 g (Pant Cherry Tomato 1) to 15.96 g (ATL-01-19). Pant Cherry Tomato 1 recorded the minimum number of seeds fruit-1 (8.39) with minimum seed weight of 0.0112 g. LE 1223 registered the highest fruit yield plant-1 (1572.36 g) and yield hectare-1 (31.45 tonnes).