Genetic estimates of water stress in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum

Abstract

Availability of moisture is a major environmental constraint militating against crop yield world-wide especially in Semi-Alid Tropics. SAMTOM 3 was used to obtain genetic information assess four drought criteria and their associations. Simulated drought condition was applied (3- and 14-day watering interval). The experiment was Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated 4 times. Differential trait responses were obtained, number of flowers ab01ti01L number of fruit/plants, number of flower buds/plant and fruit weight were severely affected by simulated water stress. The calculated quantitative drought tolerance indices; Mean Productivity (MP), Geometric Mean GMP) Tolerance Index (TI) and Percent Injury (%I) are effective in improving yield under drought condition. However, compellation analysis indicated that the most suitable drought tolerance QHte1ia are TI and %I. Valiance components and heritability estimates were calculated for all the traits studied