Genetic Variability Studies in Advanced Breeding Lines of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for Fruit Yield and Quality Parameters

An experiment was carried out to assess genetic variability in thirty advanced breeding lines of brinjal during Rabi season 2021-2022 at the College of Horticulture, Mudigere. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance indicated the presence of large variability for different characters under study. The genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation was high (>20 %) for the number of primary branches at 30 DAT, average fruit weight, whereas, plant height at 30 and 90 DAT, number of primary branches at 90 DAT, stalk length, fruit yield per plot, estimated fruit yield per hectare, dry matter content and fruit phenol content showed moderate GCV and PCV. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance (>20 %) in per cent of mean were recorded for plant height at 30 DAT, number of primary branches at 30 and 90 DAT, days to first flowering, average fruit weight, stalk length, fruit yield per plot, estimated fruit yield, dry matter content and fruit phenol content indicating that these traits are controlled by additive gene action. Therefore, studied characters may be included in assortment criterion for improvement in fruit yield per plant and yield contributing traits.