Characterization of exotic germplasm of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and variability studies at mid hills of Himalaya

Abstract

The present study comprised of fifteen exotic lines of tomato collected through NBPGR, New Delhi from Plant Gene Resources of Canada (PGRC) Saskatchewan, Canada. The result revealed a high degree of variability, heritability and genetic advance among the germplasm lines. Germplasm line EC664597 was the early maturing (first picking 65.33 days after transplanting) followed by EC664595 (69.0 days). Two genotypes that exhibited more than 100g fruit weight were EC664596 and EC664591. Six germplasm lines viz., EC664585, EC664592, EC664593, EC664596, EC664597 and EC664598 exhibited total soluble solids content more than 5.0. Three germplasm lines exhibited pericarp thickness more than 6.0mm were EC664586, EC664590 and EC664591. Based on this information variety development programme may be undertaken in tomato using appropriate germplasm for mid hills of India.