Selection of tomato genotypes for drought tolerance and agronomic potential through different selection indexes

ABSTRACT The selection of genotypes with agronomic potential associated with drought tolerance is considered of high complexity. An alternative could be the use of selection indexes that can evaluate multiple characteristics simultaneously. This study aimed to select tomato genotypes with agronomic potential and drought tolerance by selection indexes. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications. Ten treatments were evaluated: seven genotypes F2RC3, donor genitor (Solanum pennellii), recurrent genitor (UFU-040), and cv. Santa Clara. The irrigation was suspended until the substrate reached a matric potential of ≤-25 kPa for water stress simulation during the tomato cycle at 45, 60, 80 and 100 days after sowing. The control treatment (donor genitor) and cv. Santa Clara, were resistant and susceptible to water deficit, respectively. The UFU-102-RC3#91335 genotype presented agronomic potential and satisfactory tolerance level to water deficit and presented 58.2% higher production than the recurrent genitor (UFU-040). The genotype-ideotype distance selection index was the most appropriate for the selection of tomato genotypes for agronomic potential allied to drought tolerance.