Combining Ability in Brinjal

Combining ability analysis of nine quantitative characters was made through a 7 × 7 diallel cross in brinjal. General combining ability variance was found significant for all the characters. Additive genetic variance had a predominant role in the expression of all the characters as g.c.a. variance was found much higher than the s.c.a. variance. Varieties T. 2 and T. 3 were found the best general combiners. These varieties were followed by BGL>BBR> PPL> WB>KBL in respect of number of characters for which they have given positive g.c.a. effects. The crosses involving either T. 2 or T. 3 were good specific combiners. The cross T. 2 × T. 3 was found the best specific combiner for yield. This cross can be utilized both for developing high yielding lines by selection and for exploiting hybrid vigour.