Estimation of genetic variability and response to selection in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

A study was carried out to estimate the genetic variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance in percent of mean among the 53 genotypes of brinjal. The ANOVA revealed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes was highly significant for all the traits indicating sufficient variation among the genotypes. The estimates of the PCV were higher than the GCV for all the traits. Genetic advance in per cent of mean ranged from 3.45% to 89.57%. The very high estimates of heritability coupled with high values of genetic advance over per cent mean were observed for traits such as number of primary branches per plant (at 60, 90 and 120 DAT), number of secondary branches per plant at 60 DAT, stem girth (at 60, 90 and 120 DAT), leaf area, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight (g), fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per plot, fruit yield per ha, fruit length (cm), fruit width (cm), calyx length (cm) and calyx width (cm), total phenols, root girth at collar region, root dry weight (g). These traits were under the influence of additive gene action, there is great chance of effective crop improvement for greater yield and yield attributing traits.