Genetic variability and character association studies in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

The investigation was conducted at the vegetable block in the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mysuru. 29 genotypes of Brinjal collected from different sources were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 2 replications during kharif 2023. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied and this indicates the presence of wide range of variability in the genotypes. Among the 23 characters studied plant height, fruit pedicel length, fruit length, fruit breadth, average fruit weight, number of fruits per infructescence, fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight, fruit to seed ratio and soluble sugars were recorded high GCV, PCV, heritability and GAM. Hence, these characters had high variability with additive gene actions direct selection would be more effective in improving these traits. The correlation and path analysis studies revealed that fruit yield per plant positively and significantly associated with average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit breadth, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight, fruit dry matter and fruit protein content. These characters have to be considered while selecting the genotypes for fruit yield per plant.