Dr. K. RAVINDER REDDYNAVEEN. B. L2019-09-112019-09-112016-07-12Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810127315The D2 analysis was carried out for fifteen characters, which partitioned the thirty genotypes into eight clusters. The maximum genetic divergence was observed between clusters VII and VI followed by between clusters VII and IV. The maximum intra cluster distance was shown by cluster II. Plant height followed by number of fruits per plant, lycopene, days to fruit set, TSS, titrable acidity, TSS: Acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, days to first flowering and average fruit weight contributed greatly towards diversity. The clusters showed high genetic divergence that could be effectively utilized in heterosis breeding programme. If a breeding programme is used at improving nutritional characters, then cluster V showing maximum total soluble solids, cluster II showing maximum titrable acidity, cluster I showing maximum ascorbic acid and lycopene content that can be utilized in breeding program.The present investigation was undertaken to estimate the genetic divergence for yield and yield attributes in tomato and to carry out yield component analysis through correlation and path analysis. Thirty genotypes were sown in a randomized block design with three replications during rabi, 2015-16 at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The objective of the experiment was to study the genetic divergence, genetic variability, heritability and to assess the nature of association and correlation of different component characters on yield and identify divergent genotypes to use as donor parents in hybridization programmes among the germplasm in tomato. The D2 analysis was carried out for fifteen characters, which partitioned the thirty genotypes into eight clusters. The maximum genetic divergence was observed between clusters VII and VI followed by between clusters VII and IV. The maximum intra cluster distance was shown by cluster II. Plant height followed by number of fruits per plant, lycopene, days to fruit set, TSS, titrable acidity, TSS: Acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, days to first flowering and average fruit weight contributed greatly towards diversity. The clusters showed high genetic divergence that could be effectively utilized in heterosis breeding programme. If a breeding programme is used at improving nutritional characters, then cluster V showing maximum total soluble solids, cluster II showing maximum titrable acidity, cluster I showing maximum ascorbic acid and lycopene content that can be utilized in breeding program. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference for fifteen characters studied and reported that there was sufficient amount of variability exist among the genotypes. Wide range of variability was observed for plant height, days to fruit set, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per hectare and ascorbic acid indicating the scope for selection of suitable initial breeding material for further improvement. High PCV and GCV estimates were recorded for plant height, number of branches, number of fruits per plant, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per hectare, total soluble solids, acidity, TSS :acid ratio, lycopene and beta carotene content. The difference between PCV and GCV values were minimum, indicating that the traits under study were less influenced by environment and these characters could be improved by following phenotypic selection. Genetic advance estimates were high (>20%) for plant height, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and fruit yield per hectare. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was high (>20%) for plant height, number of branches per plant,days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to fruit set, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per hectare, total soluble solids, acidity, TSS :Acid ratio, ascorbic acid, lycopene and beta carotene content aforesaid traits recorded high h2(b) (>60%) estimates also. This indicated that all the above said traits were under the influence of additive gene action and simple selection process based on phenotypic performance of these traits would be effective. In a true agreement with the GCV and PCV values in the present investigation for the fifteen characters was noticed, indicating additive genetic variance governing the high heritability with genetic advance as percent of mean. Thus a breeder can employ a simple selection process which will be a rewarding one to improve the characters viz., plant height, number of branches per plant, days to fruit set, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per hectare, total soluble solids, acidity, TSS :Acid ratio, lycopene and beta carotene. For days to first flowering, days to 50 per cent flowering and ascorbic acid high heritability with low GA as per cent of mean indicates non additive action controlling the traits. Thus, selection for these may not be rewarding. From correlation studies, it was observed that fruit yield per plant has exhibited highly significant positive association with plant height, average fruit weight, fruit yield per hectare, lycopene and beta carotene. Path analysis revealed that maximum positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant was exhibited by plant height, number of branches per plant, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per hectare, acidity and TSS: Acid ratio. Therefore, it is emphasized to lay attention on these traits in crop improvement programme of tomato in future. In addition to the genetic divergence, considering the mean performance of the genotypes among the different traits studied, the following were identified as promising lines. Four genotypes viz., EC-011309 from VII and EC620563, EC620414 and EC620775 from I clusters for fruit yield. Five genotypes viz., EC-620408 from III and EC-620494, EC631325, EC801753, EC620414 from I clusters for earliness. Two genotypes EC-801737 from VIII and EC-801751 from II clusters for number of branches. Five genotypes viz., EC-801747 from V, EC-620639, EC631407, EC801753 from I and EC-010326 and EC-620642 from II clusters for fruit quality were superior and they can be used for future breeding programmes.ennullThesis