Commercial cultivation of tomatoes in Kerala is very limited due to the prevailing tropical humid climatic conditions and acidic soil, which make it a hotspot for various biotic and abiotic stresses. Tomato production in the state can be improved by identifying and promoting the hybrids tailored to thrive in these challenging conditions. So, the present study was undertaken to identify F1 hybrids of tomato suitable for growing in Kerala. Ten F1 hybrids of tomato collected from various research institutes, SAUs and private companies were evaluated for their yield and quality to find the suitability of growing them in climatic conditions of Kerala. The experiment was laid out in CRD with four replications. Observations were taken from five plants in each replication. Hybrids were evaluated for growth, yield and quality traits. The results revealed significant variation among the hybrids for all the traits studied. Plant height was highest in the hybrid Arka Apeksha. days to flowering and days to harvest was minimum in Lakshmi which was on par with Sampurna and COTH3. Highest fruit shape index and pericarp thickness was recorded in Arka Apeksha. Average fruit weight was highest in Arka Abhed. Number of fruits/plant was highest in Sampurna. Fruit yield/plant was highest in Lakshmi which was on par with Arka Rakshak, Arka Samrat, Arka Abhed and Arka Apeksha. Longest crop duration was recorded in Arka Abhed, Arka Apeksha, Arka Samrat which was on par with Arka Rakshak, Sampurna and Lakshmi. Arka Apeksha was superior to other hybrids for quality traits such as TSS, vitamin C and lycopene. Whereas titrable acidity was highest in Sampurna and highest total phenol content was recorded in COTH3. Based on the overall performance of the hybrids for yield and yield contributing traits hybrids Lakshmi, Arka Samrat and Arka Abhed was found best performing among the ten hybrids evaluated. These hybrids are well adapted for growing in Kerala's climatic conditions, and popularizing them among farmers will aid in enhancing the state's tomato production.

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, hybrid, yield, quality.

From the present study it can be concluded that among the evaluated ten hybrids Lakshmi (Fig. 1) Arka Samrat, (Fig. 2) and Arka Abhed (Fig. 3), performed better for yield and yield contributing traits and Arka Apeksha was superior to other hybrids for quality traits. Based on the overall performance of the hybrids Lakshmi, Arka Samrat and Arka Abhed is suitable for cultivation in the tropical humid climatic conditions of Kerala. These hybrids also recorded low incidence of Tomato leaf curl virus.

Remzeena A., P. Anitha, Pradeepkumar T., Aswini A., Beena V.I. and Anoop E.V. (2023). Evaluation of Tomato Hybrids for Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes under the Climatic Conditions of Kerala. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 370-375.