Genotype x environment effects on yield and fruit quality in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme)

Abstract

This study compared six cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) lines - ‘Yellow pear’, ‘Red pear’, ‘Yellow lamp’, ‘Red olive’, ‘Big red orbicular’, and ‘Small yellow orbicular’ - grown under hydroponic and soil-based greenhouse conditions to identify superior genotypes for yield and fruit quality. The experiment was conducted during the 2023 winter-spring season in Borazjan, Iran, using a factorial experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Hydroponic plants (perlite:cocopeat, 40:60) received Hoagland solution, while soil-grown plants were supplied with a mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Yield components (fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit set, and yield), growth (plant height), and biochemical attributes (vitamin C, total soluble solids, citric acid, carotenoids, lycopene, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b) were measured. Significant effects (p<0.01) of genotype, cultivation system, and their interaction were observed for all traits. ‘Big red orbicular’ recorded the highest fruit weight, fruit volume, yield, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, while ‘Red pear’ showed the greatest vitamin C and chlorophyll a, and ‘Small yellow orbicular’ had the highest total soluble solids and citric acid. Hydroponic cultivation enhanced yield, vitamin C, and soluble solids, whereas soil cultivation favored carotenoid and lycopene accumulation. Overall, ‘Big red orbicular’ under hydroponic culture emerged as the most promising genotype for high-yield greenhouse production, while soil-grown tomatoes may be preferable for maximizing pigment content. These results provide practical guidance for genotype selection and cultivation system optimization in cherry tomato production.