Study on genetic variability, heritability and genetic adavance in brinjal (Solenum melongena L.) genotype and hybrids

An experimental study was carried out at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, National P.G College Barhalganj Gorakhpur to assess the performance of thirteen brinjal cultivars in terms of yield. The objective was to identify acceptable parent plants for future breeding purposes. The experiment was conducted using a Randomised Block Design with three replications. Thirteen quantitative and qualitative features were documented during the observations. The analysis of variance revealed substantial differences among the thirteen distinct kinds of brinjal for all thirteen variables. The highest estimates of phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficient of variation were observed for Avg. Fruit Weight (gm) (PCV=35.71) and (GCV=34.80), followed by Avg. Yield/ Plant (kg) (PCV=28.60) and (GCV=27.53), and Fruit Circumference (cm) (PCV=26.19) and (GCV=24.96). On the other hand, Days to 50% Flowering exhibited the lowest values (11.02 and 7.82). High heritability and high genetic advance in percentage of mean were observed for Avg. Fruit Weight (91.32 and 50.67), Avg. Yield/ Plant (93.53 and 34.11), Fruit Circumference (90.19 and 80.32), No. of Primary Branches/ Plant (79.05 and 82.71), and No. of Fruits/Plant (91.32 and 50.67). These traits showed additive gene effects, indicating that selection for these traits is reliable for further breeding programmes. The selection of appropriate parents is a crucial criterion for the success of a crop enhancement operation.