Performance of parents and hybrids for yield and yield attributing characters in Manjarigota type of brinjal (Solanum melongena L).

Abstract

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops of the country. A great variation with regard to fruit colour, shape and vegetative growth exists among the indigenous materials. Based upon its highest production potential and availability of the produce to consumers it is also termed as poor man's vegetable. India ranks second after China in area and production of the brinjal. Brinjal shares 8.1 percent of production in total vegetable production in India. The cultivated area of brinjal in India is about 6.80 lakh hectares with production of 118.96 lakh tonnes and productivity of 17.5 tonnes per hectare, while West Bengal is leading state in area, production & productivity of 1.58 lakh hectares as well as production of 28.70 lakh tonnes and productivity of 18.1 tonnes per hectare (Anon., 2011). The possible exploitation of hybrid vigour in brinjal has been taken up at several research centres. However, very little systematic attention has been paid by plant breeders to study performance for yield and its components in Manjarigota type brinjal. Manjarigota type of brinjal is of purple colour with white strips on it and most preferred in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Tamil Nadu. The genotypes performing well can be released as a variety or can be used further in heterosis breeding programme. Materials and Methods The present investigation was undertaken at the The present study was carried out to know the performance of parents and their hybrids for different traits attributing for yield in Manjarigota type of brinjal at the Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hessaraghatta, Bangalore during the period between July-2010 to May-2011. Among the parents used for investigation T 3 , T 2 and L 3 were high yielding of 1.60, 1.30 and 1.26 kg per plant respectively. The hybrids L 4 x T 2 , L 3 x T 2 and L 7 x T 1 recorded high yield of 2.73, 2.41 and 1.86 kg per plant and showed highest estimated yield of 57.40, 53.70 and 41.40 tonnes per hectare respectively in Manjarigota type of brinjal. The hybrid L 4 x T 2 was most promising for various traits which contribute to highest per plant yield. Based on their performance parents can be used for further breeding programme and hybrids could be exploited for cultivation in Manjarigota background.