Field Evaluation of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes for Yield and Viral Disease Response in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Tomato production in Nigeria is severely constrained by viral diseases, leading to significant yield losses and reduced farm income among resource poor farmers in the country. This study evaluated the yield performance and viral disease response of selected tomato varieties and advanced breeding lines under open-field rainfed conditions. Eight genotypes, including commercial hybrids and advanced breeding lines were assessed using a randomized complete block design with three replications across two growing seasons. Data were observed for fruit yield, disease incidence, and severity. Although no significant differences (p > 0.05) was observed in fruit yield among genotypes, notable numerical variation was recorded with breeding line NHTo128-1 exhibiting the highest yield. Disease severity differed significantly at eight weeks after transplanting (p < 0.05), with NHTo128-1 and NHTo29-2/1 showing the lowest (2.61) and the highest (4.38) severity scores respectively. Regression analysis revealed significant negative relationship between disease severity and yield (R² = 0.398, p = 0.0016) indicating that increased disease severity substantially reduced productivity. The results of the trial revealed NHTo128-1 as a high yielding genotype with potential for tolerance to tomato virus diseases under open field conditions.