Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Swathi Imandi and Vijay Bahadur

Abstract:
After tomato, potato, chili, and tobacco, eggplant is the fifth economically significant vegetable in the Solanaceae family. Two other under used eggplant species, the African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) and the scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.), were also cultivated with local importance where the leaves and fruits are used for food and medicinal purposes in addition to the well-cultivated brinjal or aubergine eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Improved fruit quality, increased yield performance through heterosis breeding, and the introduction of pest and disease resistances from wild relatives are the main goals of the eggplant breeding programme. A large variety of germplasm resources with substantial potential for genetic advancement are present throughout Europe and Asia. While several fungus and bacteria can cause harm to produced eggplant, many of its wild counterparts may be resistant to these pathogens. This essay examines the genetic diversity and resources of domesticated eggplant and its wild counterparts. We start by looking at the crop's economic significance, domestication, taxonomic classification, and links to its wild cousins. Due to the significant underrepresentation of crop wild relatives, it is imperative to assess and protect them. This study's summary of genetic resources, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, pre-breeding, and breeding for sustainable eggplant production is an important section.