Development of a tomato variety Rajitha having bacterial wilt resistance, high yield potential and good fruit quality characters

摘要

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the major production constraints for successful and extensive cultivation of tomato in the tropics. The objective of this study was to develop a genotype with bacterial wilt resistance, high yield potential and good fruit quality attributes. Several crosses were performed using desirable donors and promising progenies were selected from the cross between T-245 and Caribe. A bulk method of selection was adopted. In the F_6 generation a line 1-16-38 was identified and tested for its yielding ability in preliminary yield trials during the dry and wet seasons. During both seasons line 1-16-38 gave significantly higher yields (>25 t/ha) than the standard check variety T-245. Bacterial wilt screening in the field and laboratory demonstrated that 1-16-38 was moderately resistant. The National Coordinated Varietial Trials conformed that it was a promising line under different agro-ecological zones in both dry and wet seasons. On-farm trials indicated the farmer acceptability was higher for this line than the check variety. Fruit quality characters such as a fruit size of 82g/fruit, thick pericarp and good keeping quality satisfied the farmers and acceptance was very high. Line 1-16-38 was officially released as variety Rajitha by the Department of Agriculture in 2001.