A Correlation and Path Analysis Studies of Quantitative and Qualitative Traits in Tomato

Abstract

Correlation and path analysis were carried out in twenty eight tomato genotypes for quantitative and qualitative characters. The association studies showed that fruit yield per plant was genotypic and phenotypic positive correlated with number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit diameter, fruit length, average fruit weight, number of locules per fruit and seed yield per plant. Path analysis studies done to study the cause and effect relationship revealed number of seeds per fruit, number of clusters per plant, fruit diameter and number of fruits per plant exerted positive direct effects on fruit yield per plant at genotypic level. However, phenotypic level, maximum exerted positive direct effects on fruit yield per plant was number of seeds per fruit. So, by improving these traits yield can be significantly increased.