Correlation and path coefficient analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Correlation analysis in tomato revealed that per cent fruit set, number of primary branches, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, total soluble solids, fruit length, fruit firmness, number of flower trusses per plant and pericarp thickness were positively and significantly associated with yield per plant. Path analysis revealed that average fruit weight had the high positive direct effect on yield per plant followed by number of fruits per plant. Traits viz., fruit diameter and fruit shape, fruit index had negative direct effect on fruit yield per plant. Most of the other traits had indirect effect via fruit weight, fruits per plant, fruit diameter and fruit shape index. Hence, these characters should be given more weightage in selection programme of high yielding genotypes in tomato.