Vol. 12, Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Dhruv Pankajkumar Joshi, NB Patel, AM Patel and GK Chaudhary

Abstract:
Hybrids of the brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) are gaining popularity in the past few decades. Meanwhile, heterosis breeding provides much scope to obtain such hybrids with great yielding potential and outstanding fruit quality (size-shape, pest-free and rich in beneficial biochemicals). These facts motivated us to get inside into the combining ability and gene actions of 8 lines, 6 testers and their resultant 48 hybrids for 15 yield and its attributing traits by adopting Line × Tester analysis at 3 research stations of the S.D.A.U.; located in 3 different districts, during late rabi 2021-22 in RBD. For the majority of the traits, there were significant variations caused by environments, parents, and hybrids, suggesting the material's high degree of variability. Analysis of gene action showed a preponderance of both non-additive and additive gene actions for various traits. Ph-9, PPL, and ISD-006 were the good general combining parents for major yield and its attributed traits. For fruit yield per plant, the top five good specific combiners were Arka Komal × GRB 5, Ph-6 × P. Anupam, Ph-9 × GAOB 2, Ph-9 × Arka Harshita and ISD-006 × GRB 5. Also, for at least one yield component, they showed a highly significant sca value. High × High gca combinations didn’t show high sca effects every time. Incorporating ISD-006 × GRB 5 hybrid with its good combining parents into the breeding programme would certainly improve the quantity and quality of fruits in brinjal.