Genetic diversity analysis in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for yield and its attributing traits

Abstract

The genetic diversity of 53 brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes across 12 traits was evaluated in a breeding program focused on yield improvement, using Mahalanobis D² statistics. The analysis grouped the genotypes into nine distinct clusters, revealing significant genetic variation within the material. Cluster II, the largest, included 14 genotypes, while clusters IV, VI, VIII, and IX each contained a single genotype, reflecting lower genetic diversity in those groups. Cluster V exhibited the highest intra-cluster distance (69.13), followed by Cluster VII (64.00), suggesting notable diversity within these clusters. The largest inter-cluster distance (248.24) was observed between clusters VIII and IX, while the smallest (17.46) occurred between clusters IV and VI, indicating a closer genetic relationship between these two. Notably, Cluster IX showed high mean values for plant height, primary branches, secondary branches, and leaf area, while Cluster III excelled in traits such as stem girth, days to first flowering, and fruit length. These findings highlight valuable genetic resources for hybridization efforts aimed at enhancing key agronomic traits.