Estimation of heritability and correlation for fruit yield and yield related traits in f4 population of the cross EC15127×EC362941 in tomato under protected condition

Study on genetic parameters in F4 population of the cross EC15127×EC362941 during Summer 2024 for fruit yield and its attributing traits was conducted in augmented block design. Results obtained Analysis of variance indicates the presence of significant variability for most of the characters among F4 segregants which indicates the presence of sufficient variability. Hence the population was used for estimation of variability parameters and correlation. Wider range has been observed for all the characters among the F4 segregants which imply the presence of higher phenotypic variability. Further high PCV and GCV were found for number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and number of locules per fruit indicating less environmental influence on expression of characters therefore individual plant selection can be followed for improvement of these characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a per cent over mean was observed for plant height, days to first harvest, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, pericarp thickness, and number of locules per fruit indicating the involvement of additive gene action for expression of these traits in crosses studied. Characters like fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit volume, pericarp thickness and number of locules per fruit shown the presence of positive significant association with fruit yield among F4 segregants which implies that fruit yield per plant could be improved up on improving some of the traits like number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit length, days to first flowering and days to first harvest.