Genetic variability in eggplant for agro-morphological traits

2015

E11548

Eggplant is an important solanaceous plant cultivated world wide. Current study has been undertaken to characterize twenty two different Eggplant accessions for various agro-morphological traits at Plant Genetic Resources Institute, NARC, Islamabad. The study revealed an average to high variance for most of the parameters studied viz. Fruit weight, branching angle, days to flowering and plant height. However, low variance was observed for leaf lobation, petiole thickness, inter node length and number of flower (s) per axil. The relationship particularly among yield contributing traits was significant. Cluster analysis grouped the 22 Eggplant genotypes into three clusters and each cluster further sub-divided into two sub-clusters. The clustering pattern did not show any correspondence with the collection origin. The genotype 19326 remained outstanding in terms of better performance as compared to other genotypes studied. In general, the genotypes grouped in Cluster-I was tall statured having high mean values of different parameters and it were followed by cluster-II and III. The fruit shape and colour observed in the germplasm accessions was diverse ranging from round type to elongated and dark purple to white. However, predominant shape was round (40.9%) type and purple (54%). Although, the germplasm investigated comprised only 22 accessions, however, it revealed diverse pattern based on various traits. The information generated through this study will be helpful in devising future breeding programs in Eggplant.

34(1):35-40, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Research > Published Articles