Genetic Variability Studies in Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. Var. Cerasiforme Mill)

Fourteen traits of 9 cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme Mill) lines exhibited a wide range of genetic variability. High geno- and phenotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for average fruit weight (67.76 and 67.9 %, respectively) followed by number of fruits/plant (56.45 and 57.28 %, respectively). High estimates of heritability, genetic advance and genotypic coefficient of variation for the traits of average fruit weight and number of fruits/plant were controlled by additive gene action indicating the possibility of selection to improve these characters. Fruit yield/plant showed high heritability along with low genetic advance. It indicates that improvement of high yield through selection is difficult; rather hybridization can be effective for improving the fruit yield/plant. Among the lines, IIHR-2754 produced the highest number of fruits/plant (498.67), maximum fruits (96.67 fruits/kg and height cluster/plant 48) and IIHR-2864 produced more fruit yield per ha (33.34t) and these lines can be selected for cultivation.