Genetic analysis to find suitable parents for development of tomato hybrids.

Abstract

Line × Tester analysis was used to identify the potential parents and their hybrids from a set of 12 crosses derived from three lines (LA-2661, LA-2662 and 017899) and four testers (BL-1078, BL-1079, CLN-2413 and CLN-2418-A). Results showed that parents and F1 hybrids differed significantly for general combining ability and specific combining ability effects, respectively. The values of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances depicted non-additive and additive gene action with predominance of non-additive gene action in the genetic determination of all characters except fruit yield per plant. Parent lines LA-2662 and CLN-2418-A provided the best general combining ability in more than one yield contributing traits. Specific combining ability effects, heterosis and heterobeltiosis in desired direction were recorded in two crosses viz. “LA-2662 × CLN-2418-A” and “LA-2662 × BL1078”. F1 hybrid “LA-2662 × CLN-2418-A” proved to be the best cross in overall performance and should be further exploited in breeding plans for hybrid vigour and commercial utilization.