Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

In brinjal significant variability was available in the parents and hybrids. The present study which comprised of 7 parents, 21 hybrids and 2 commercial checks were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated thrice at Vegetable Research Station, ARI, Dr. YSRHU, Hyderabad during 2014. Marketable fruit yield was kept as a dependent character and the results were analysed. Moderate estimates of phenotypic and genotypic co-efficient of variation was observed for fruit length, marketable yield per plant and fruit width both at genotypic and phenotypic level. The characters viz., marketable fruit yield per plant and fruit length recorded high magnitude of heritability coupled with genetic advance. Therefore, these traits should be kept in mind for better planning of improvement programme in brinjal. Correlation coefficients were estimated at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Total number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, total yield per plant, number of branches per plant and plant height were positively, fruit and shoot borer infestation on fruits was negatively and significantly correlated with marketable yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level which indicates the importance of these characters during selection for high yielding genotypes in eggplant.