Correlation and path coefficient analysis for quantitative and qualitative traits for fruit yield and seed yield in tomato genotypes

Abstract

One hundred twenty tomato genotypes, introduced from AVRDC, Taipei, Taiwan were evaluated for twenty one quantitative and qualitative traits for fruit yield and seed yield by correlation and path analysis during spring summer at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. This study revealed that fruit yield was significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight per plant (0.790 and 0.995) followed by days to 50 per cent flowering and non-significantly but positively correlated with average fruit weight, seed yield per plant. Path analysis study shown fruit weight per plant had maximum direct effect on fruit yield (0.875 and 1.0) followed by number of fruits per plant and flower clusters per plant indicating the trait of major importance for yield improvement. Seed vigour index also had maximum direct effect on seed yield. Based on this analysis, at the time of selection of tomato genotypes, one has to put emphasis on the characters like fruit weight per plant, days taken to first harvest, germination, seed vigour index I and II. The seed vigour index can also be considered as an important tool to predict performance of seed lot in the field.