Evaluation of cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and maintainer lines for yield and horticultural traits in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

The present study was aimed at evaluating six cytoplasmic male sterile lines (A-lines) ofSolanum melongena L. carrying alloplasmic cytoplasm of S. aethiopicum L. along with their fertile counterparts (B-lines) for various yield and horticultural traits. A significant variability was observed among the tested lines. All six cytoplasmic male sterile lines were similar with respective maintainer for the growth traits viz., plant height, plant spread, petiole length, leaf length and leaf width. Five out of seven studied flower traits viz., calyx size, petal length, petal width, pistil length and pedicel length, also displayed no difference between A-and B-lines. However, significant differences were there between A and B-lines for stamen size and days taken for 50% flowering with sterile lines having significantly reduced stamen size and taking more number of days for 50% flowering. The yield contributing fruit traits including peduncle length, fruit length, fruit weight, number of fruits plant−1 and yield plant1 also displayed non-significant difference between A and B-lines. Similar trend of nodifference was displayed by the commercially important colour traits. Theatpar performance of newly developed male sterile A-lines with their fertile counterparts provides possibilitiesof further use of these lines in cytoplasmic genetic male sterility system hybrid development programme of brinjal.