Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 21 (11): 2177-2181, 2014 ISSN 1990-9233 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2014.21.11.21825 Corresponding Author: S.B. Deshmukh, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola-444104, India. 2177 Gene Action Studies in Brinjal (Solanum melongena) S.B. Deshmukh, S.N. Sawant, G.W. Narkhede and V.N. Dod Department of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola-444104, India Abstract: The study on genetic components of variation revealed that the importance of non-additive systems operating in inheritance of yield and its important components. Degree of dominance was in range of over dominance range for all the characters and close to complete dominance for plant height. The traits viz. plant height, plant spread, days to first flower, days to 50% flower, number of branches per plant, fruit length and yield exhibited significant environmental effect. For fruit diameter, chlorophyll content, days to 50% flower, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and fruit length dominant genes were more frequently distributed in the parents. Keywords: Solanum melongena Growth Yield parameter Gene action Studies INTRODUCTION undertaken to understand the nature of gene effects Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the and non-interacting crosses. An assessment of these important Solanaceous vegetable crops. It is widely genetic parameters will allow for the development of cultivated in both temperate and tropical regions of efficient breeding strategies for egg plant cultivar the globe mainly for its immature fruits as vegetables. improvement. As India is the primary centre of origin of brinjal (Vavilov, 1931 [1] and Bhaduri, 1951) [2] it posses marked MATERIALS AND METHODS diversity. Most of the local varieties which are grown by the cultivators of India have not been fully utilized in any The experimental material for this study comprised genetic improvement programme. The development of of 9 genotypes viz. Local C-1, Asond long, Local -3, cultivars with improved fruit quality for better market Selection -167 Local C -2, GADB –1, Local –2, AKL -11 value, through breeding has received relatively little and Asond Round which were selected based on their attention in vegetables especially in eggplant. For the diversity for various traits and were crossed in all possible improvement in brinjal, one needs to elucidate the genetic combinations excluding reciprocals to develop 36 F using nature and magnitude of quantitatively inherited traits half diallel mating scheme. These 36 F hybrids, 9 parents and estimate prepotency of parents in combinations. and two commercial hybrid checks (Pusa Hybrid-6 and The information generated in the process can be used to Pusa Hybrid-9) comprised the material for gene action understand the magnitude of heterosis. However, genetic studies which were evaluated in randomized block control of different yield related as well as agronomic design with three replications at the Main Garden, traits has been studied extensively (Patil and Shinde, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh 1984; Sidhu and Chadha, 1985; Chadha et al., 1990) [3] in Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during kharif season of 2011-12. eggplant. Direct selection for quality traits in eggplant, Observations were recorded on plant height, plant same as in all other crops, will not be successful due to spread, days to first flower, days to 50 per cent flower, interaction of many genes with environment. number of branches per plant, number of flowers per Knowledge of the genetic controlling system of branch, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit the character to be selected and genetic variation are the diameter, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, yield pre-requisite for viable breeding strategy. Therefore, the per hectare, infestation of shoot and fruit borer, present study entitled Gene action studies in brinjal is chlorophyll content and protein content. The genetic involved in the expression of a character in interacting 1 1