Pure Appl. Biol., 6(3): 1021-1029, September, 2017 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.600108 Published by Bolan Society for Pure and Applied Biology 1021 Research Article Morphological and agronomic characterization of tomato under field conditions Qasid Ali 1,2* , Mustafa Erkan 1 and Ibadullah Jan 2 1. Department of Horticulture, Akdeniz University, 07059 Antalya-Turkey 2. Department of Horticulture, University of Swabi, Swabi-Pakistan *Corresponding author’s email: ali_khan4540@yahoo.com Citation Qasid Ali, Mustafa Erkan and Ibadullah Jan. Morphological and agronomic characterization of tomato under field conditions. Pure and Applied Biology. Vol. 6, Issue 3, pp1021-1029. http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.600108 Received: 06/04/2017 Revised: 15/08/2017 Accepted: 24/08/2017 Online First: 28/08/2017 Abstract This experiment was conducted at Plant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. A total of 156 germplasm accessions of tomatoes of local and exotic origin from the National Genebank of Pakistan at PGRI were used. Agro-morphological traits including 14 quantitative traits were studied. Tomato accessions were grown under a controlled environment and two-week-old seedlings were then transferred to trays which were later on transplanted in the field at 3-4 leaf stage. The accessions were grown in the field with a plant to plant distance of 50 cm and row to row distance of 75. Frequency distribution for all agro-morphological characteristics was studied. Variation was observed for all the parameters studied. Maximum yield per plant was found in accession 17863 while maximum fruit size was observed in accessions LA-3346, Dny-evf-Riograndea (a) and LA-0146 (a). Descriptive statistics showed high variation in case of fruit length, fruit width, pedicel length, total number of inflorescence, and yield per plant which indicates that these characteristics can be improved using the present tomato germplasm. Correlation analysis was performed to know about the morphological characteristics positively correlated with economically important traits. Cluster analysis and dendrogram construction shows the genetic diversity in the germplasm which indicates the usefulness of germplasm for tomato hybridization and breeding. Keywords: Germplasm, agro-morphological traits, seedlings, tomato, yield Introduction The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., syn: Solanum lycopersicum) is an edible fruit belonging to family Solanaceae, originated from South America [1]. Tomatoes are classified as tropical crop and can tolerate high temperatures but they are sensitive to frost at each growth stage [2]. Increase of tomato yield has been observed with temperature ranges up to 32ºC in month from April to June, with a decline at warmer temperatures [3]. It is used as a vegetable in variety of ways. It is perennial in nature but it is grown as annual vegetable. The plant vines are typically pubescent, covered with fine short hairs. These hairs facilitate the process of climbing, which turns into roots where the plant is in contact with the ground and moisture, especially if the connection of vines is damaged or cut off [4]. Tomato fruit like grapes, bananas, and dates are classified as berries because