Quality traits and heterotic response of tomato hybrids under organic and conventional farming systems under Mid-Himalayan regions

In present study 37 genotypes (8 parental lines, 28 F₁ hybrids and one standard check Avtar) were evaluated in two years in order to estimate the extent of heterosis over better parent (BP) and standard check (SC) and quality trait like total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and titrable acidity. Sufficient quantum of genetic variability was generated for quality traits involving diverse genotypes of tomato by following diallel mating design method 2 (excluding reciprocals). In general, on the basis of mean performance, grand mean of organic tomatoes exhibited slightly higher estimates of TSS (4.69%), ascorbic acid (23.22 mg/100 g) and titrable acidity (0.43%) than inorganically cultivated tomatoes (4.57%, 22.09 mg/100 g and 0.38%) in respective character in pooled over environments. There was differential response of different hybrids/genotypes to organic and inorganic farming conditions. This may be attributed to differences in soil nutrients input, environmental conditions and other production-related factors. This necessitates identifying potential hybrids/varieties exclusively under organic and inorganic farming conditions, separately.