This study was conducted to assess the genetic variability and correlation of phenotypic characteristics in 12 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes including 11 WorldVeg and one commercial variety (Pusa Ruby) in Terai (plain) region of Nepal in 2021–2022. This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The phenotypic traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant vigor and height, fruit number/plant, fruit yield, fruit weight and diameter, fruit firmness and fruit pericarp thickness, and total soluble solids (TSS) content of the fruits, were studied. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits except for plant vigor. The genotype of AVTO1705 resulted the highest fruit yield (2.9 kg/plant) than Pusa Ruby, a commercial check (0.5 kg/plant). The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits and PCV values were maximum for the number of fruits, fruit yield, and fruit weight. High PCV, GCV, and genetic advance (GA) were observed for yield, fruit weight, and plant height, respectively, indicating the additive gene effect. High heritability for fruit yield/plant and plant height inferred the phenotypic selection for their genetic improvement. Fruit yield was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with the fruit number and fruit weight, and direct selection of these traits are reliable for yield improvement in tomato.

INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
    Experimental site and plant materials
    Experimental design and plant cultivation
    Observations and statistical analysis
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
    Plant and fruit yield traits
    Fruit weight and quality traits
    Genetic variability for plant and fruit yield traits
    Conclusion and Recommendation
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
적 요

• Binod Prasad Luitel(National Horticulture Research Centre, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, 5459, Nepal, Allium Vegetable Research Institute, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Muan, 58545, Korea)
• Dipendra Ghimire(National Horticulture Research Centre, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, 5459, Nepal)
• Surendra Lal Shrestha(National Horticulture Research Centre, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, 5459, Nepal)
• Hyo Bong Jeong(Vegetable Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, 55365, Korea) | 정효봉 (농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 채소과)
• Eun Young Yang(Department of Horticulture, Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jeonju, 54874, Korea) | 양은영 (국립한국농수산대학교 원예학부)
• Myeong Cheoul Cho(Allium Vegetable Research Institute, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Muan, 58545, Korea) | 조명철 (농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 파속채소연구소) Corresponding author