Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O. Box 260, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia
Dufera, J.T., Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O. Box 260, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia
Twenty one tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum Mill.) germplasms were evaluated for agronomic performances, lycopene variability and some quality parameters to identify the genotypes having high yielding and better quality performances. The study was conducted under Mizan agro-ecology (Southwestern Ethiopia) on Mizan-Tepi University trial field during September 2011 to May 2012 using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes (P<0.0001) for all characters evaluated. The genotypes Roma VF, Cochoro/Pace setter), Pirson, Melkashola/Red pear and Fetan/Picador showed over all superior yield and quality performances to the other genotypes, thus they could be recommended as promising varieties for production in the area. Higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficients variation values were recorded by the characters fruit clusters per plant, nodes on main stem, fruits per plant, yield per plant and lycopene content, indicating the presence of variability among the genotypes and the scope to improve these characters through selection. In general, the result indicates the presence of enough variability among the genotypes to select parents with desirable performances and combine with varieties having better lycopene contents for further genetic improvement. © IDOSI Publications, 2013.