Abstract

Heterotic effects and genetic components of variation for qualitative and quantitative characters were estimated in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Forty hybrids generated by crossing four testers (males) with ten lines (females) were studied along with parents for studying heterosis and gene action for calyx length, fruit pedicel length, shoot borer infestation, fruit borer infestation, little leaf incidence, ascorbic acid content, total phenols content, number of fruit per plant and fruit yield per plant during rainy season of 2010-2011. The crosses obtained by L × T method possessed variation in terms of growth, yield and quality traits. Mean fruit yield per plant ranged from 2.85 to 1.04 kg. Among the 40 hybrids, the ones obtained from the cross 'Alagarkovil Local' × 'Annamalai' (L₄ × T₁), 'Palamedu Local' × 'Punjab Sadabahar' (L₅ × T₃), 'Palamedu Local' × 'EP 65' (L₅ × T₄) and 'Keerikai Local' × 'KKM 1' (L₇ × T₂) were suitable for heterosis breeding. Average performance of parents indicated that lines 'Alavayal local' (L₁), 'Sedapatty local' (Green) (L₂) and the tester 'Annamalai' (T₁) were good parents for further breeding to exploit high yield and low pest and disease incidences. Performance of these hybrids needs to be further evaluated in multiple locations or on farm trial prior to commercial use.

Key words: Hybrid vigour, brinjal germplasm, selection, yield attributes.