Studies on heterosis, combining ability and gene advance for the quantitative characters in brinjal or egg plant (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

The analysis of variance for the design of experiment indicated highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits. Based on mean performance of genotypes NDB-5 followed by NDB-5 followed by NDB-15, NDB-6, NDB-4, NDB-7 and NDB-16 were found as most promising genotypes for fruit yield per plant. Days to 50% flowering and plant height exhibited low value of variability. High heritability was estimated for all the traits except yield per plant followed by early yield per plant, fruit weight and yield per plant indicating opportunity for selection response. Yield per plant had exhibited highly significant and positive association with fruits per plant and early yield while primary branches showed negative and significant association with yield per plant. Fruits per plant, fruit weight and plant height were identified as most important traits which has direct effect on yield per plant while negative direct effect on yield showed by fruit circumference followed by plant height and days to 50% flowering on yield