Morphological and Yield Trait Variability in Eight Cultivars of Gboma Eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) is an important leafy and fruit vegetable in Africa, but information on cultivar-level morphological and yield variation under Burkina Faso conditions remains limited. This study assessed eight cultivars in the North-Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso between July and October 2024. A randomized Fisher block design with four replicates was used, and six qualitative and 17 quantitative traits were recorded. Qualitative observations showed variation in stem, flower, and fruit colour, whereas all cultivars had an upright growth habit, wavy leaf margins, and round fruits. The quantitative traits also varied among cultivars. Days to 50% flowering ranged from 53.50 days for Gb7 to 63.00 days for Gb5. Cultivar Gb5 recorded the greatest leaf blade length (31.14 cm), the largest fruit diameter (8.19 cm), and the highest leaf yield (6,437.50 kg/ha). Cultivar Gb2 produced the highest fruit yield (10,458.33 kg/ha), whereas Gb8 recorded the lowest fruit yield (5,958.33 kg/ha). Positive associations were observed between collar diameter and average fruit weight, fruit diameter and plant height, and fruit yield and the number of fruits per plant. The observed variability indicates that the evaluated cultivars contain useful morphological and agronomic differences. Gb5 may be considered for combined leaf and fruit production, whereas Gb2 is promising for fruit yield. Multi-season and multi-location evaluations are required before breeding or production recommendations are made.