Genetic variability studies in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

The present study was conducted during the Kharif season of 2023 at the ICAR-NIASM, Malegaon, Baramati to assess genetic variability in 26 local brinjal genotypes using a randomized block design with three replications. The ANOVA revealed significant variability among the genotypes for all studied traits, indicating a broad genetic base for selection. Results showed that the phenotypic coefficients of variance were higher than genotypic coefficients for most of the traits. High GCV and PCV were observed for polar diameter, equatorial diameter, fruit shape index, fruit firmness, fruit dry matter, ascorbic acid, total phenolics content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity measured by DPPH, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, yield per plant, yield per plot, and yield per hectare. High heritability estimates coupled with a high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean were observed for plant height, stem girth, plant spread (E-W, N-S), polar diameter, equatorial diameter, FSI, TSS, fruit firmness, FDM, AA, TPC, TFC, antioxidant capacity measured by DPPH and yield parameters, suggesting that selection for these traits would be effective in breeding programs due to their additive gene effects.