Development of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) hybrids for protected cultivation

The present study was conducted during the kharif season of 2022-23 at the College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, Karnataka. Thirty F1hybrids, derived from line × tester mating design, were evaluated in two replications along with their parents and checked. Results showed that lines AVTO1920, AVTO1429, and AVTO1464 had good general combining ability (GCA) for growth, earliness, and yield traits. The crosses AVTO1920 × AVTO1464, AVTO1429 × AVTO1464, and AVTO1920 × Anagha exhibited positive specific combining ability (SCA) effects for yield traits. The GCA/SCA variance ratio indicated both additive and non-additive gene action. Significant heterosis over mid-parent, a better parent, and a standard check were observed across 20 traits. Notably, AVTO1920 × AVTO1464 and AVTO1429 × AVTO1464 showed maximum positive heterosis over the standard check, while III-5 × AVTO1464 and AVTO1915 × AVTO1464 excelled over the better parent for yield traits, making them suitable for polyhouse cultivation.