Characterization, Character Association, and Path Coefficient Analyses in Eggplant

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most widely grown vegetables in India, but local cultivars have low average yields due to biotic and abiotic stresses. There is a need to develop new genotypes to increase eggplant yield. Assessment of variability present in the crop can allow successful utilization of plant characters in developing suitable varieties for yield and stability. An experiment was conducted using 31 eggplant genotypes to study the extent of variability and the relationship between yield and yield component characters. The genotypes were characterized based on response for 7 qualitative and 14 quantitative characters. Correlation and path coefficient analyses were carried out for 14 characters of yield and its components. Differences were observed among genotypes. Character association indicated that fruit yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with number of leaves per plant, number of fruit per plant, average fruit weight, and total number of harvests at phenotypic and genotypic correlation levels. Path analysis indicated that number of fruit per plant and average fruit weight had direct effects on fruit yield per plant; the remaining characters had negligible to low indirect effects through other component characters. Number of fruit per plant and average fruit weight are reliable characters to use for improvement of eggplant.