Evaluation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes for growth, and yield traits under Malwa condition

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) stands as a globally significant vegetable, valued for its adaptability, nutritional richness, and economic importance. This study focused on three replications with twelve tomato genotypes and experimental design used is Randomized block design (RBD) which were conducted at the Horticulture Nursery, College of Agriculture, Indore, during the 2022-2023 growing season in the Malwa region of India. The objectives were to identify desirable genotypes and evaluate yield attributes of different genotypes. The results indicated significant variability among the genotypes for various growth and yield traits. Genotype TDJP-3 (G6) emerged as a standout performer, demonstrating superior characteristics such as maximum plant height, number of branches, and number of leaves at different growth stages. Additionally, TDJP-3 (G6) exhibited optimal leaf dimensions, area, and area index. It displayed early flowering, fruiting, and picking, alongside a remarkable number of flowers per cluster. In terms of yield, TDJP-3 (G6) excelled in the number of fruits per plant, fresh and dry weights of the fruit, and overall fruit yield per hectare. The study underscores the importance of systematic evaluation of tomato germplasm to identify genotypes suited for specific agro-climatic conditions. The findings provide valuable insights for tomato cultivation in the Malwa region, aiding farmers in selecting optimal varieties for enhanced productivity.