Studies on F1 hybrids tomato for long shelf life developed using slow ripening mutants (Alcobaca and ripening inhibitor)

Abstract

The objective of the study was to study the potential of Alcobaca (alc) and ripening inhibitor (rin) for their combining ability, heterosis for yield, quality and shelf life and to identify F1 hybrids tomato with long shelf life. The experimental material consisting five lines (4 alc and 1 rin), six testers, 30 F1 hybrids obtained from line x tester fashion and four commercial checks (Avinash-2, To-230, Arka Shreshta, Arka Abhijit) were evaluated. The GCA effects were significant for the characters shelf life, yield and fruit firmness for the lines 2052 (alc) and 2053 (alc). While for the testers (IIHR cultivars) the gca effect was significant in 858 for shelf life, 1614 for pericarp thickness, firmness and shelf life and Flora-Dade (FD) for fruit weight and shelf life. The data on magnitude of geterosis over better parent and standard check revealed the superiority of some outstanding cross combinations. Four hybrids expressed significant heterosis over best parent for number of fruits per cluster, six hybrids for pericarp thickness, four hybrids for fruits for fruit firmness and twelve hybrids for yield per plant. Fifteen hybrids expressed standard heterosis for pericarp thickness, four for fruit firmness, fifteen for life at different stages. Two hybrids, namely 2052 x 858 and 2053 x FD were found to be outstanding. These hybrids had firm fruits, the firmness values being 5.53 and 4.95 kg/cm2. The fruits stored for 22.26 and 33 days, till 50% softening at room temperature. The fruits of these mutant heterozygotes developed red colour upon ripening similar to the normal ripening fruits. They yielded 56.59 and 58.96 t/ha.