Genetic Variability in Eggplant for Agro-Morphological Traits

Abstract

Eggplant is an important solanaceous plant cultivated world wide. Current study has been undertaken to characterize twenty two different Eggplant accessions for various agro-morphological traits at Plant Genetic Resources Institute, NARC, Islamabad. The study revealed an average to high variance for most of the parameters studied viz. Fruit weight, branching angle, days to flowering and plant height. However, low variance was observed for leaf lobation, petiole thickness, inter node length and number of flower (s) per axil. The relationship particularly among yield contributing traits was significant. Cluster analysis grouped the 22 Eggplant genotypes into three clusters and each cluster further subdivided into two sub-clusters. The clustering pattern did not show any correspondence with the collection origin. The genotype 19326 remained outstanding in terms of better performance as compared to other genotypes studied. In general, the genotypes grouped in Cluster-I was tall statured having high mean values of different parameters and it were followed by cluster-II and III. The fruit shape and colour observed in the germplasm accessions was diverse ranging from round type to elongated and dark purple to white. However, predominant shape was round (40.9%) type and purple (54%). Although, the germplasm investigated comprised only 22 accessions, however, it revealed diverse pattern based on various traits. The information generated through this study will be helpful in devising future breeding programs in Eggplant.

Analysis of Genetic Variability and Heritability in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Genotypes

“…The analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the genotypes due to genotypes for all traits viz; Days to first flowering, Days to first fruit set, Days to first fruit picking, Number of branches per plant, Plant height(cm), Plant spread(cm), Fruit length (cm), Fruit diameter (cm), Number of fruits per plant, Average fruit weight (g), Fruit yield per plant (kg), Fruit yield per plot (kg), Fruit yield per hectare (q), Total soluble solids (°Brix), Total Anthocyanin content (mg/100g), Vitamin C (mg/100g), Phenols (mg/100g), Total sugars (%) and Dry matter (%). Same results were found by Hassan et al [4], Madhavi et al [1], Milli et al [5], Praveen et al [6] and Dhaka and Soni [7], Kumar et al [8], Singh et al [9], Ansari et al [10], Gazala et al [11]. Analysis of variance indicated that sufficient variability existed for all these characters and which provide the potential for selection of suitable genotypes having desirable traits for further crop improvement as depicted in Tables 1a, 1b and 1c.…”

Effects of gamma irradiation on the agro-morphological traits of selected Nigerian eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) accessions

“…The agro-morphological parameters collected for the experiment were germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf characteristics, number of branches per plant, days to first flower, fruit weight, seed weight (100 seed) and number of fruits per plant according to the methods described by [13][14] with minor modifications. The data generated were subjected to statistical analysis using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test for significant differences and Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT) was used to separate the means where there were differences.…”

Elucidating Drought Tolerance Potential of Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines through Polyethylene Glycol Induced Drought Stress

“…"The upsurge in concentration of PEG caused a decrease in germination percentage, seedling vigour in certain crop plants" [10]. "Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) has been used often as abiotic stress inducer in many studies to screen drought tolerant germplasm" [11,12]. "The germplasm which is showing better performance can be considered as drought tolerant.…”