ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.)
Abstract
The present investigation evaluated 25 tomato genotypes during the Rabi 2025 season under a randomized block design with three replications. Eighteen quantitative traits related to flowering, fruit development, yield, quality, and plant growth were recorded to estimate genetic diversity using Mahalanobis D² statistics and Tocher’s clustering method. The analysis grouped the genotypes into seven distinct clusters, indicating substantial genetic variability. The highest inter-cluster divergence was observed between Clusters II and VII, suggesting that hybridization between these groups may generate superior recombinants with greater heterotic potential. Cluster V exhibited superior vegetative growth, while Cluster III was characterized by desirable fruit quality attributes, including thicker pericarp. Cluster VI recorded the highest fruit yield per plant and per hectare, whereas Cluster VII produced the largest fruits. Genotypes such as Pusa Sheetal, Kashi Amrit, Rosemary, Oaklyan, Punjab Chhuhara, Black Cherry, Pusa Uphar, Money Maker, NF-54, Kashi Hemant, Kashi Anupam, Kashi Sharad, Pusa Rohini, Pusa Sadabahar, Kashi Adarsh, EC 620444, CO-3 and ZS21 were identified as genetically diverse and promising parental lines for hybridization. The findings demonstrate considerable scope for exploiting genetic divergence in tomato breeding programmes aimed at improving fruit yield, quality and overall productivity through heterosis and selection.