Genotypic and Phenotypic Correlation Coefficient Analyses for Yield and Yield-Attributing Traits in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
Abstract
Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) improvement requires an understanding of associations between fruit yield and component traits. This study was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm-I, Department of Horticulture, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, India, during two consecutive Rabi seasons (2024–25 and 2025–26) to estimate genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients among plant growth, yield, and biochemical quality traits in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). The trial was laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, and evaluated 51 genotypes comprising 12 lines, 3 testers, and their 36 F1 hybrids. Data recorded for 18 quantitative and qualitative traits in the individual years (Y1 and Y2) and the pooled dataset were analysed statistically to determine trait interrelationships and guide indirect selection strategies for yield improvement. The findings showed that total fruit yield per plant exhibited highly significant positive correlations at both genotypic and phenotypic levels with key vegetative, reproductive, and biochemical parameters. At the genotypic level, positive associations (rg) were observed with plant height (0.642), average fruit weight (0.578), fruit polar length (0.549), number of fruits per plant (0.409), total sugars (0.403), length of calyx (0.401), total soluble solids (0.399), number of fruits per cluster (0.388), primary branches per plant (0.380), fruit equatorial circumference (0.368), non-reducing sugars (0.357), length of pedicel (0.357), ascorbic acid (0.336), and reducing sugars (0.327). Similarly, phenotypic correlation estimates (rp) showed positive associations with plant height (0.589), average fruit weight (0.566), fruit polar length (0.537), number of fruits per plant (0.402), total soluble solids (0.393), total sugars (0.391), number of fruits per cluster (0.388), length of calyx (0.387), primary branches per plant (0.374), non-reducing sugars (0.351), fruit equatorial circumference (0.350), length of pedicel (0.340), ascorbic acid (0.330), and reducing sugars (0.323). Overall, brinjal productivity was associated with plant growth characteristics, fruit-component traits and biochemical quality factors. Because genotypic correlations were generally higher in magnitude than their phenotypic counterparts, the observed associations may have a genetic component. Consequently, plant height, primary branching, average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant may be useful criteria for selection aimed at improving total yield and fruit quality.