Assessment of morphological diversity among hybrids of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L)

Abstract

Using Mahalanobis D2 statistics method, the 8 hybrids were grouped into five clusters, indicating the presence of diversity for different traits. The maximum contribution to the total divergence was made by average fruit weight followed by fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per cluster. Cluster mean analysis revealed that the cluster IV and V had high yielding hybrids. Maximum intracluster distance exhibited in Cluster I followed by cluster II indicating within cluster divergence. The highest intercluster distance was found to be between clusters III and V indicating more divergence. Genotypes from divergent clusters can be used to produce hybrids.