Analysis of tomato agronomic traits using generation mean

Abstract

Information on inheritance of agronomic traits and lack of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) a robust breeding programme in Kenya, has led to dependency on imported tomato varieties. The objective of this study was to assess the inheritance of growth attributes of tomato lines in Kenya and identify cross family with great potential for further breeding. Six generations; namely P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1P1 and BC1P2‚ were developed from five parental lines. A split-plot design with crosses as main plots and generations as subplots was used in two sites (Kabete Field Station and Mwea Research Station), located in Kenya. Cross Roma VF x AVTO1424 and Roma VF x AVTO1314 were the earliest (33 days) to reach 50% flowering; while BC1P2‚ of Roma VF (38 days) was the latest to flower. Mwea Station had plants with the tallest plants, with a mean height of 62 cm at 50% flowering, compared to Kabete Station with a mean height of 48 cm. A significant increase (>10%) in plant height was registered in F1 generations compared to parental lines. Plant height at maturity across the environments ranged from 82 cm for shorter parent, Roma VF, to 120 cm for taller offspring BC1P1. Significant genotype x environment interactions were observed in Roma VF x AVTO1314 and Roma VF x AVTO1429 for days to 50% flowering, plant height, and number of trusses per plant. The importance of gene effects for agronomic trait inheritance was in additive and dominance-additive portions, which implied that traits were inherited.