Heterosis for fruit yield and its component traits in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

A study was conducted to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for fruit yield and its components in brinjal. Forty five F1 hybrids (generated by line x tester mating design using diverse five lines and nine testers) along with 14 parents and one standard check were evaluated in a randomized block design with two replication at Main Vegetable Research Station Farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat (India). Appreciable heterosis was found over better and standard parent for all the traits studied in desirable direction. In order of merit, the highest heterobeltiosis was recorded by cross ABSR 2 x GP BRJ-31 (52.52 %) followed by GOB 1 x AB 08-14 (45.31 %) and GOB 1 x GP BRJ-204 (37.78 %), while cross GOB 1 x AB 08-14 ranked first by recording the highest standard heterosis (88.88 %) for fruit yield per plant followed by followed by GOB 1 x GP BRJ-204 (71.42 %) and ABSR 2 x AB 08-14 (70.23 %). The cross GOB 1 x AB 08-14 also recorded significant standard heterosis for fruit girth, fruit weight and total soluble solids. The present study revealed good scope for isolation of pure lines from the progenies of heterotic F1 hybrids as well as commercial exploitation of heterosis breeding in brinjal.