Genetic variability and response to selection in brinjal (solanum melongena l.)

Fifteen F2’s along with 8 parents were used to estimate genetic variability and heritability among 11 developmental, growth, yield and yield related attributes in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) during rabi 2012-13. The magnitude of genotypic variance as well as genotypic coefficient of variation were low as compared to both of phenotypic variance as well as phenotypic coefficient of variation indicating thereby, the influence of environment in the expression of these traits. Highest phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for number of fruits per cluster followed by, number of fruits per plant, average weight of fruit and fruit yield per plant suggesting that usefulness of phenotypic selection in improving these traits. The estimates of heritability in broad sense were high for number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, width of fruit, days to initiation of flowering, length of fruit, fruit yield per plant and days to last picking while the moderate estimates of heritability was recorded for average weight of fruit, days to first picking, plant height and number of primary branches per plant. High heritability coupled with genetic advance was recorded for fruit yield per plant revealed that the presence of lesser environmental influence and prevalence of additive gene action in their expression.