Genetic improvement of horticultural traits of bacterial wilt resistant/tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties

Abstract

Vegetable production in the warm humid tropics is hampered by the recurrence of pests and diseases. Bacterial wilt disease caused Ralstonia solanacearum is the single most impediment, putting bottle neck in the commercial cultivation of tomato in Kerala. The disease is particularly rigorous in Kerala, where variety of factors such as virulent pathogen, favorable climate, and edaphic factors are available. As the pathogen is able to survive in soil, plant debris, weeds and able to move along with irrigation water; management practices are not quite effective in curbing the disease spread. Hence, exploitation of host plant resistance is the best feasible way to manage bacterial wilt disease. Bacterial wilt resistant varieties of tomato developed from the Kerala Agricultural University are nationally renowned. However, due to small fruit size, these varieties are low in demand in the market.In this context, the present investigation entitled “Genetic improvement of horticultural traits of bacterial wilt resistant/tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties” by following line x tester analysis was undertaken to improve yield, fruit size and quality of bacterial wilt resistant/tolerant tomato varieties.