Morphological characterization of parents and its hybrids in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the important, popular and extensively cultivated Solanaceous vegetable crops. The crop is extremely variable in India, for this reason, the crop as being of Indian origin. Assessment of genetic resources is the starting point of any crop improvement programme. The experimental material comprised of 3 lines, 5 testers and 15 crosses developed through Line x Tester design. The field experiment was conducted at The experiment was conducted at Central research station, Vegetable Division Wakawali, Dr. B S Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (MH.) during Rabi 2023-24. Majority hybrids are medium in plant height with medium leaf length. There was no variation observed for leaf breadth and leaf serration, leaf vein colour. Hybrids stated dark green leaf colour. Leaf spininess and spininess of calyx was absent. All hybrids showed solitary type of infloroscence. All hybrids, parents displayed variation in flower colour. Majority of hybrids having protruded type of stigma position. Generally medium fruit length was observed among all types. Very less variation in fruit diameter was observed. Different types of fruit shape viz., oval, round and elongate shape and variation in fruit size viz., big and medium fruits were noticed among the parents and hybrids. Out of 15 only 3 hybrids were with green fruit colour. The wide regional variations for plant, flower and fruit descriptors revealed enough scope for improvement of yield characters by selection.