Analysis of combining ability and gene action for yield and fruit quality traits in cherry tomato: A step toward genetic improvement

The analysis of gene action revealed the predominance of non-additive gene action in governing almost all traits, suggesting the potential for exploiting hybrid vigour and the development of hybrids for trait improvement. A half diallel mating design was employed in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiformae), involving five parents and resulting in ten cross combinations (excluding reciprocals). Diallel analysis enables the assessment of general combining ability (GCA) for individual parental lines and facilitates the identification of hybrids exhibiting superior specific combining ability (SCA). Significant variation was observed among the genotypes for all examined traits based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), indicating substantial genetic diversity. Based on overall mean performance and general combining ability evaluations, the genotypes Punjab Red Cherry and Punjab Sona Cherry emerged as superior, highlighting their suitability as parental lines for hybrid development. Moreover, the hybrids, namely Solan Red Round × Punjab Sona Cherry, Pusa Cherry Tomato-1 × Punjab Sona Cherry and Punjab Red Cherry × Punjab Kesar Cherry, exhibited superior performance based on mean values and specific combining ability, identifying them as promising combinations for further breeding efforts. Therefore, these cross combinations should be evaluated at multiple locations before being recommended for commercial cultivation.