Estimate of heterosis in early generations of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.)

A study was conducted to estimate heterosis of six (6) tomato genotypes involving two parents at the experimental field of Horticulture division of CSIR - Crops Research Institute, Kumasi during the rainy season of 2014-2015. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits revealing the existence of genetic variability among the studied materials. F and BC2F1 produced the highest total marketable fruits and F1, F2 and 2 BC2F 1genotypes provided high competitive potential over parental. Heritability estimate were high for days to maturity, fruit flesh thickness, number of fruits per plant and stem girth. Positive and negative narrow level (<50%) of heterosis and better parent were estimated. Keywords : Heterosis, tomato, heritability, yield, yield components