Variability analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crosses under drought stress

Abstract

Climate change in recent years has affected crop production to a greater extent. To overcome these effects, climate-resilient varieties are needed. Tomato is a versatile crop. However, its growth is hindered when it is affected by drought stress. Hence, a variability analysis of tomatoes under drought stress was carried out at Horticulture College and Research Institute, Coimbatore. Variability studies revealed that all the crosses for all parameters exhibited higher phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), indicating the influence of environmental effects. For all the crosses, viz., EC169966 × LE118, EC177824 × LE27 and Arka Ashish × LE27, high PCV and high GCV were recorded for characteristics including fruit number per plant, yield per plant, lycopene content and peroxidase activity. Characteristics such as the number of flowers per cluster, fruit number per plant, individual weight of fruit, yield per plant, relative water content, proline content, peroxidase activity and ascorbic acid content recorded higher heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM). Thus, direct selection of the above parameters improves drought-tolerant breeding programs in tomato.

Estimates of Genetic Variability, Association Studies and Per se Performance of Tomato Genotypes for Growth and Yield Parameters Under Drought Stress Conditions

“…The decline in growth attributes (Plant height, stem girth and number of primary branches) under drought stress conditions could be attributed to reduced meristematic activity, including decreased cell division and cell enlargement due to reduced relative water content and turgor loss caused by drought [17]. Likewise, the evaluated genotypes flowered early under drought stress conditions (45.20 days to 50% flowering) when compared to the control condition (48.51 days), which was also revealed by Akter et al [18] and Ilakiya et al [19]. Plants accelerate phenological development through early flowering and fruiting to complete the life cycle under unfavorable environments [20].…”

The Effects of Exogenous Salicylic Acid and Strigolactone Applications on Seedling Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Tomato Seedlings Under Short-Term Drought Stress

“…Nowadays, due to climate change, it is necessary to develop drought-resistant tomato varieties and it is recommended to determine physiological and biochemical properties such as RWC, proline content, POX activity, ascorbic acid in addition to agricultural properties for breeding programs (Ilakiya et al, 2022). According to our results, the Full F1 tomato variety sold as a seedling for farmers was adversely affected by short-term drought.…”

Genetic analysis of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.) germplasms

“…So there is a significant Genetic analysis of snake gourd potential for genetic improvement by increasing crop productivity through varietal development. For the selection and development of superior varieties, knowledge of genetic variability, heritability, genetic progress, as well as the association between yield and its related traits, is a prerequisite (Ilakiya et al, 2022). For a breeder, it is vital to evaluate the type and extent of genetic variability across snake gourd genetic stocks.…”