Combining ability analysis for yield and contributing traits in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes and hybrids

Abstract

Combining ability analysis in brinjal genotypes indicated significant genotypic and phenotypic variations for all the thirteen characters studied. Both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances showed significant interactions. superior gca effect for yield in respect of Utkal Anushri was associated with positive gca effects for 7 characters viz., plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of flowers per cluster, avg. fruit weight, fruit length and circumference, Punjab Barsati was associated with positive gca effects for 5 characters viz., number of primary branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, dry matter content and TSS. A high gca effect for yield with respect to Punjab Shree was the reflection of positive gca effects for 4 characters out of 13 characters viz., plant height, leaf width, avg. fruit weight and fruit circumference, Azad Brinjal-2 was associated with positive gca effects for character i.e. number of fruits per plant. Genotype VR-2was the reflection of positive gca effects for characters viz., plant height, number of primary branches per plants, leaf width, avg. fruit weight and fruit circumference. The cross combinations J.B. Round x DBR-8, VR-2 x DBR-8 and Punjab Barsati x Arka Nidhi were the best combiner for fruit yield per plant, showed highest positive sca effects and high degree of heterosis. These hybrid combinations can be used for commercial exploitation for fruit yield in brinjal.