Heterosis Studies in Tomato for Yield and Quality Traits

Ten diverse lines of tomato were crossed with three testers in line x tester mating fashion to study heterosis for number of locules, pericarp thickness, total soluble solids, pH of fruit juice, lycopene and ascorbic acid duringrabi season of 2013–14 at KRC college of Horticulture Arabhavi, (Karnataka). AR 21 x Arka Vikas, AR 29 x PKM 1, AR 56 x PKM 1, and Podlandt Pink x Arka Alok are good cross combinations for yield per plant. Tommy Toe x Arka Vikas and AR 29 x Arka Vikas are early to flower and the crosses AR 4 x PKM 1 and AR 21 x PKM 1 are good hybrids for lycopene whereas AR 56 x PKM 1 and AR 21 x Arka Vikas are good hybrids for Total Soluble Solids. The present study reveals that heterosis breeding is useful for improvement of tomato crop.