CHAPTER V
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
In the current investigation entitled “Genetic variability, diversity and
association studies of indeterminate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
accessions in polyhouse’’ at the PG Research Block, in naturally ventilated
polyhouse, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Sri Konda
Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, thirty three
tomato accessions were assessed in a Randomized Block Design with two
replications for thirty six characters viz., plant height (cm), number of branches,
leaf area (cm2) and stem girth (cm) at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing, number of
days to first flowering, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of flowers per
cluster, days to first fruit set and fruit set percentage, number of fruits per cluster,
number of fruit cluster per plant, days taken to first harvest, days taken from first
harvest to last harvest, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant (g). Fruit
parameters like fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), number of locules per fruit,
pericarp thickness (mm), pulp to seed ratio and average fruit weight (g), root knot
nematode root gall index (%), fusarium wilt incidence (%), ascorbic acid content
(mg/100g), lycopene content (mg/100g), shelf life (days) and total soluble solids
(°brix), titrable acidity (%).
The ANOVA revealed extremely significant variations between genotypes
for all of the characteristics except titrable acidity which has showed non
significant, demonstrating that the experimental materials had adequate
variability. Standard statistical methods were used to analyse the mean data in
order to determine the type and extent of genetic diversity present in the
germplasm, the strength and direction of the relationship between yield and its
component characters, and the direct and indirect effects of different component
characters on yield. Genetic analysis is used to determine features like direct and
indirect effects on production, genetic diversity, heritability, genetic advance as
percent of mean, size of association between characters, their interdependence,
and variability and heritability as well as their respective contributions to
divergence.
Tomato genotypes exhibited high variability for all qualitative traits viz.,
leaf colour, leaf pubescence, leaf type, petiole pubescence, seed shape, seed
colour, fruit shape, fruit colour, exterior mature fruit colour, exterior immature
fruit colour, fruit surface, fruit blossom end shape and shape of pistillar scar.
The estimated phenotypic coefficient of variation was larger than the
genotypic coefficient of variation with narrow differences, indicating that most of
the traits were less influenced by the environment, providing potential for
improvement through direct selection. For plant height(cm) at 30, 60, 90 DAT,
number of branches per plant at 30, 60, 90 DAT, leaf area (cm 2) at 30 DAT,
number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruit
cluster per plant, fruit yield per plant (gm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm),
number of locules per fruit, pericarp thickness (cm), pulp to seed ratio, ascorbic
acid content (mg/100g), lycopene content (mg/100g), titrable acidity (%), and
average fruit weight (gm), high PCV and GCV estimates were noted,
demonstrating that the genotypes being researched for further improvement have
greater variability for these traits. For days taken to first flowering, days to 50
percent flowering, days taken for first harvest, low PCV and GCV estimates were
noted, indicating narrow genetic variability for these characters.
The following points reveal the summarised findings of the present research:
The genotype EC- 636877 was significantly maximum for plant height (410
cm). The genotype EC- 620482 was significantly superior for number of
primary branches (40.40). The genotype EC- 631477 was significantly
superior for leaf area (945 cm2).
Number of flowers per cluster (8.9) was maximum for accession EC 631455.
The genotype EC-620397 recorded highest for fruit yield per plant (3998 g).
The genotype EC-638518 was significantly superior for average fruit weight
(136.46 g). The genotype EC-688516 recorded maximum for number of fruits
per cluster (7.40).
The genotype EC-631369 showed significantly highest for fruit set percentage
(92.26%), number of fruits per plant (52.10) and total soluble solids
(7.07°Brix).
Minimum days taken to first flowering and days taken for 50 per cent
flowering (23.10 and 25.00 days, respectively) recorded in Pusa Ruby and
MHTO 100. Days taken for fruit set (6.00) and days taken for first harvest
(44.70) is minimum for accession EC 632944 indicating earliness.
Accession EC 620388 has showed maximum number of fruit clusters per plant
(13.60). Days taken from first harvest to last harvest (55.55) recorded highest
days for genotype EC 631436.
EC 631386 has recorded maximum fruit length (6.60 cm) and EC 631378 has
recorded maximum fruit diameter (5.78 cm). EC 636482 has showed
maximum number of locules per fruit (7.35).
Pericarp thickness was the highest for genotype EC 620360 (6.10 mm) and
pulp to seed ratio has maximum for accession EC 638521 (130.91).
Pusa Ruby showed the highest ascorbic acid content 50.66 mg/100g and
lycopene content (9.14 mg/100g) was maximum for genotype EC 631325.
Shelf life (11.70) recorded the highest for accession EC 620397 and titrable
acidity (0.38) was maximum for genotype EC 687423.
High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent mean was
observed for plant height (cm) at 30, 60 and 90 DAT, leaf area (cm 2) at 30, 60
and 90 DAT, number of primary branches at 60, 90 DAT, days taken to first
flowering, days taken to 50 per cent flowering, stem girth at 90 DAT, days
taken for first flowering, days taken to 50 per cent flowering, number of
flowers per cluster, days taken for fruit set, days taken for first harvest, days
taken from first harvest to last harvest, number of fruits per cluster, number of
fruit cluster per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, average
fruit weight (gm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), pericarp thickness
(mm), number of locules per fruit, pulp to seed ratio, lycopene content
(mg/100g), shelf life, total soluble solids (°Brix) and titrable acidity (%)
showing that additive gene action is predominant and that early generations
are subject to phenotypic selection.
In correlation studies, fruit yield per plant exhibited high significant positive
association with leaf area, number of fruit cluster per plant, number of fruits
per plant, average fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, pericarp thickness
and ascorbic acid content. These traits ought to be used as selection criteria in
breeding programs. Direct selection based on these qualities may boost
attributes and tomato fruit yield at the same time.
In path coefficient analysis, the characters viz. average fruit weight, fruit
diameter, fruit length, number of fruits per plant and number of fruit cluster
per plant showed positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant. These are
identified as superior yield components.
Therefore, a plant breeder might keep the aforementioned factors in mind to
produce better hybrids and good recombinants, as shown in Table 4.17.
By considering the average performance of all 33 genotypes, these six
genotypes viz. EC 620397, EC 631455, EC 631477, EC 688516, EC 615040
and EC 631415 were identified as promising genotypes based on genetic
studies, particularly with regard to the characters of number of fruits per
cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, fruit
yield per plant. These four accessions EC 631477, EC 688516, EC 615040
and EC 631415 showed morphologically round shape which were suitable for
market.
The following general conclusions could be drawn:
High yielding accessions EC 620397, EC 631455, EC 631477, EC 688516,
EC 615040 and EC 631415 from the current investigation may be made
available as varieties for commercial cultivation after multilocation testing.
In breeding programs to create early mature varieties Pusa Ruby, MHTO
100, EC 632944 the early genotypes may be employed.
The best genotypes for quality parameters are, EC 631325 (lycopene
content), EC 620397 (shelf life) and EC-631369 (TSS) which can be
utilized in pedigree breeding to isolate transgressive seggregants and
improve quality.
Through hybridization and selection among identified lines, the high
amount of variability between the genotypes could be further utilized for
the creation of superior tomato genotypes.
The morphological analysis of the 33 grown tomato accessions revealed
significant genetic diversity, which is crucial for the management,
classification, and further use of germplasm.
FUTURE LINE OF WORK
1. F1 hybrids can be created using the promising germplasm lines EC 620397,
EC 631455, EC 631477, EC 688516, EC 615040 and EC 631415 as parents
and could be included in the crop improvement program for protected
cultivation.
2. Early genotypes were discovered to be early in terms of days to first flowering
and days to 50 per cent flowering, including Pusa Ruby, MHTO 100.
Therefore, following multilocation trials, they may be employed as pureline
varieties. The best performing germplasm can be released for commercial
production following multi-locational trials.
3. For quality measures, the genotypes EC 631325, EC 620397 and EC-631369
are the best, and they can be utilized for pedigree breeding.
4. These lines can be subjected for development of effective hybrids for
polyhouse condition.
5. Specific advanced quality parameters like other pigments, antioxidants
compounds and micro nutrients may be assessed.
6. These lines may be assessed for biotic and abiotic stress resistance.
7. Individual character under study may be assessed for determination of gene
control with help of generation mean analysis.
