Line × Tester Analysis for Morphological and Fruit Biochemical Traits in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Using Wild Relatives as Testers

Kaushik Kaushik

doi:10.3390/agronomy9040185

Kaushik Kaushik

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9040185

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Abstract

Wild relatives of eggplant are commonly exploited for eggplant improvement, but the genetic improvement relies on the information of the genetic basis of inheritance of traits. In this study, two eggplant lines, one with oriental and another with occidental cytoplasm, were crossed with four testers representing three wild species, namely, Solanum insanum, S.anguivi, and S. lichtensteinii. The Line × Tester cross produced a total of eight interspecific hybrids. Parents and their hybrids were evaluated for 3 biochemical, 12 morphological, and 8 Tomato Analyzer-based descriptors. A significant amount of variation was noticed for all 23 traits studied. The higher values for the specific combining ability (SCA) component were determined as compared to the general combining ability (GCA) component. The testers were more significant for most of the traits than the cultivated varieties. Positive heterosis was determined for the 12 characteristics and negative heterosis for the 11 attributes. Overall, S.anguivi, and S. lichtensteinii were better for the biochemical traits’ improvement, whereas S. insanum was a better tester for the morphological traits.

Highlights

The global demand for vegetables is increasing, and this trend is expected to continue in the future [1]
S.anguivi, and S. lichtensteinii were better for the biochemical traits’ improvement, whereas S. insanum was a better tester for the morphological traits
In a recent study using a diallel cross in which one accession of the wild eggplant relative S. insanum was included, we found that general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) estimates were significant for most of the morphological traits

Summary

Introduction

The global demand for vegetables is increasing, and this trend is expected to continue in the future [1]. The center of origin of eggplant is the Indo–Chinese region [5], the greatest diversity in its wild relatives is found in Africa [6]. Crop wild relatives are important reservoirs of useful genes and underexploited variation [7]. Wild relatives of eggplant are a source of variation for important traits, such as pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and for some quality traits, like a high content in bioactive phenolic acids [8]. Eggplant is one of the vegetables with the highest concentrations in phenolic acids [9], wild relatives can contribute to a further dramatic increase in these bioactive compounds highly beneficial for human health.

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