Genetic variability and character association for fruit yield and its attributing traits in Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme)

The present experiment entitled “Genetic variability and character association for fruit yield and its attributing traits in Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme)” was conducted during rabi season (2023-2024) under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops at Horticultural Instructional cum Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replication and comprised of 16 genotypes. The analysis of variance was significant for all the characters indicating genetic variability in the genotypes under the study. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded for the traits, number of fruits per plants, fruit weight per plant, marketable yield per plot, total fruit yield, average fruit weight, fruit length, number of primary branches, plant height and fruit girth. Correlation studies revealed that fruit weight per plant, marketable yield per plot, number of primary branches, plant height, number of picking, number of fruit per plant, crop duration and average fruit weight had positive significant association with yield per plant indicating the importance of these traits in selection for yield because of their direct contribution to yield. Maximum positive direct effect was observed for marketable yield per plot, number of primary branches, plant height, days to first fruit harvest, days to fruit ripening, days to first flowering, number of picking, fruit weight per plant and fruit length.