Combining Ability in A Diallel Cross of Brinjal (Solanum Melongena L.)

Six cultivars of brinjal were crossed in diallel and the parents and their 30 F₁’s were evaluated. Both gca and sca variances were significant in all the four characters studied. The magnitude of the gca variance was higher than sca variance, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive gene action. The parent IIHR 22-1 and Supreme were the best general combiners for yield/plant and weight/fruit while the cross IIHR 40-2 x Arka Sheel was the best specific combination for yield/plant, no. of fruits/plant and days to flowering. The cross IIHR 22-1 x Supreme, in general proved the best combination in respect of all the characters, was named as Arka Navneet and released for commercial cultivation. Prominant reciprocal effects were noted in most of the crosses. It could be suggested that in the hybridization. programme, it is desirable to reserve a place for the parents of genetic diverse origin to locate the best combiners.