Assessment of Genetic Variability and Yield Contributing Traits in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) under Himalayan Conditions

Abstract

This experimental research was carried out to assess the components of variability for 11 quantitative parameters across 51 geographically diverse brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) strains. The research was carried out during summer season, 2024 at Horticultural Research Centre, Department of Horticulture, Chauras Campus, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand India. The experimental results revealed that, significant difference was recorded almost all the parameters studied. The results revealed that, the PCV and GCV was found higher for the traits like number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches/plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield/plant. Heritability in broad sense were ranged from 38.56% to 98.17%, almost all the characters showed high heritability. The highest GAM estimates were recorded for almost all the characters. Therefore, results indicated that predominance additive gene action in most of the trait expression, and direct simple selection through phenotypic expression is a good chance for genetic improvement.