Genetic variation and trait relationship in the egg plant (Solanum melongena L.) germplasm

Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation coefficients were estimated in 7 parents and twenty one hybrids of brinjal derived from seven diallel cross combinations to identify suitable parents and F1 hybrids for brinjal cultivation. A high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was obtained for Ascorbic acid content. Moderate genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for fruit length, number of marketable fruits per plant, total yield per plant and marketable yield per plant. Heritability and genetic advance were also high for these traits indicating the possibility of selection to improve these characters. Correlation coefficients were estimated at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Total number of fruits per plant, days to last fruit harvest, average fruit weight, fruit width, total yield per plant, plant height and number of branches per plant were positively and significantly correlated with marketable yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. The fruit and shoot borer infestation on shoots and fruit and shoot borer infestation on fruits had negative association with marketable yield per plant in brinjal, which indicate the importance of these characters during selection for high yielding genotypes in eggplant.