Combining ability for beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, resistance and horticultural traits of selected Lycopersicon pennellii-derived inbred backcross lines of tomato

Ten selected inbred backcross lines (IBL), from a Lycopersicon esculentum c v. 'Peto 95' x Lycopersicon pennellii IBL population, with resistance to be et armyworm (BAW), Spodoptera exigua, higher fruit mass and fruit yield, we re crossed with eight elite cultivated L. esculentum inbred lines in a Desi gn II mating design. Three elite inbreds were also crossed to 'Peto 95', th e IBL recurrent parent, as a control for combining ability. Field plots of all resulting F-1 progenies and control cultivars were inoculated with BAW eggs and evaluated for resistance to BAW, fruit mass, fruit yield, vine siz e and maturity at three field locations. Reductions in fruit damage by BAW were found in four of the 10 IBL F-1 progenies. Significant male and female general combining ability (GCA) estimates for BAW resistance were observed , but significant specific combining ability for BAW resistance was not det ected. The fruit mass of F-1 hybrids was significantly lower than large-fru ited controls, but was not significantly different from elite inbred by 'Pe to 95' F-1 hybrids. Selection based on inbred performance identified IBL wi th positive GCA for BAW resistance and yields in Design II hybrids. BAW res istance in the 10 selected IBL and IBL-derived F-1 progeny was associated w ith two undesirable traits, later maturity and larger vine size. Index sele ction of IBL was more effective at identifying IBL with positive GCA for fr uit mass and fruit yield than GCA for BAW resistance.