Variability and correlation studies for yield and quality traits in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

A study was conducted using 13 parents (10 lines, 3 testers) and 30 F1 hybrids of brinjal. The analysis of variance for quality and yield traits revealed highly significant differences among genotypes. Wide range of variability was observed for all the traits under study. Mean value for number of fruits plant-1 was 15.06 with a range of 10.47–27.62 while mean value for fruit weight was 119.95 with a range of 305.25–969.40. For dry matter (%), total soluble solids (°Brix), Vitamin C (mg100-1g) and total phenols (mg100-1g) mean values were 7.60, 4.85, 3.12 and 123.80 while the range was 5.49–9.56, 4.44–5.22, 2.66–3.61 and 104.40–162.73 respectively. Range for fruit yield ha-1 was 305.25–969.40 and its mean value was 568.38. Phenotypic variances were slightly higher than corresponding genotypic variances for all the traits studied. Broad sense heritability was high for all the characters studied. Genetic advance as percentage of mean was medium to high for all the parameters studied. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for fruit yield ha-1, dry matter (%), total soluble solids (°Brix), vitamin C (mg100-1g) and total phenols (mg100-1g), indicating predominance of additive gene effects and reliability of such traits for effective selection procedure. Correlation studies revealed that fruit yield ha-1 had a positive direct correlation with number of fruits plant-1 and fruit weight, while it had a negative significant correlation with total phenols.