Genetic variability studies in cherry tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var. cerasiforme Mill.] for growth, yield and quality

The material of the present study consisted of twenty four genotypes of cherry tomato to study the genetic components for growth, yield and quality at university orchard, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. The genetic variability demonstrated that phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher contrasted with genotypic coefficient of variation for all the attributes in 24 genotypes. Even though PCV was more than GCV but the difference was very narrow suggesting that, there was less influence of environment. High estimations of heritability and genetic gain increase were displayed for plant height at final harvest, the number of primary branches plant⁻¹ at final harvest, inter nodal length of main stem, stem girth, the number of flowers cluster⁻¹, the number of flowering clusters plant⁻¹, the number of fruits cluster⁻¹, the number of fruit cluster plant⁻¹, days from fruit set to fruit maturity, per cent fruit set, the number of fruits plant⁻¹, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit width, the number of locules fruit⁻¹, fruit weight, the number of seeds fruit⁻¹, weight of seeds fruit⁻¹, weight of 1000 seeds, yield plant⁻¹, fruit firmness, pericarp thickness, shelf life of fruits, total soluble solids, total sugars, ascorbic acid, titrable acidity, lycopene, total carotenoids, total phenol and total antioxidant. Thus, the selection might be effective for improving these traits.