Evaluation of the Agricultural and Quality Potential of the New Aubergine Genotype Obtained at the Buzău Plant Genetic Resources Bank

Abstract

Taking into account the increasing demands of farmers and consumers in terms of diversification of the assortment of aubergines marketed in Romanian markets, the Buzau Plant Genetic Resources Bank aims to contribute to its improvement by breeding and promoting new varieties, acclimatized to the growing conditions specific to our country. From the germplasm plots, the stable genotypes that passed the general and specific combining capacity test were subjected to hybridization work resulting in a large number of hybrids, of which the L R10V22 x L O58V22 combination was of interest for the breeding program. As a result of the hybrid combinations, genotype A RO19VER22 was extracted, showing the following distinct and uniform fruit characteristics: fruit weight -590.35 g, fruit length -21.5 cm, obovate fruit shape, light green fruit color with slight striations, and greenish flesh, with an early ripening period. In the present research work, we have succeeded in stabilizing a new eggplant variety, with distinct phenotypic expressiveness, to be registered and approved under the aegis of the Buzau Plant Genetic Resources Bank.