Pathway analysis throughout filial generations on modern tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties

Abstract

In Mexico, to reduce production costs, small producers use tomato seeds of advanced generations such as F₂ and F₃. The objectives of this study were to measure the efficiency of using advanced populations of some commercial tomato hybrids and to identify the most important yield components associated with yield. Seven saladette-type hybrids of indeterminate growth were evaluated, as well as their respective generations F₂s and F₃s under greenhouse conditions. The evaluation of the three generations was carried out during the 2013 agricultural cycle. Three harvests were made at 82, 94 and 136 days after transplanting. The experiment was carried out under a randomized complete block experimental design, with 4 replications and 10 individuals per repletion. The obtained results indicated that there were significant differences for few traits in F₂ and F₃. Path analysis showed that the total number of fruits had the highest direct and indirect effects on yield through generations. Based on our analysis, the advanced generations of ‘LORETO’, ‘CUAUHTÉMOC’ and ‘ESPARTACO’ could be used by the small growers since low values of inbreeding depression was observed in F₂ and F₃.