Combining ability analysis for yield attributes, yield and quality parameters in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) hybrids

The present investigation was carried out in order to obtained information on combining ability of hybrids developed by following Line x Tester analysis suggested by Kempthorne (1957) at PG student’s research farm, College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Analysis of variance for combining ability reveals that the significant effects due to lines were found for only seven characters, whereas, significant tester effects were recorded for 8 characters. However, the interaction effects (line x tester) were found to be significant for all the characters except days to last harvest and fruit width (cm). The analysis for combining ability revealed the predominance of SCA variance was greater than GCA variance for the characters. Further, the ratio of GCA to SCA for these characters was less than unity. This indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action governing the inheritance of these characters. The estimates of GCA variance were higher than the SCA variance with the ratio of GCA variance to SCA variance more than unity for days to last harvest, which indicates the preponderance of additive gene action involved in the inheritance of this character. Based on gca effects, among lines RCBG-2 was the promising general combiner for twelve yield and yield related traits, whereas RCBG-1 for eleven characters. Among testers, Shyamala was the best general combiner for days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, fruit width, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, marketable yield per plant, total yield per hectare and total marketable yield per hectare and Bhagyamathi for other yield contributing characters. Hence, these parents are recommended for use in breeding programmes to develop precocious and prolific varieties of brinjal. On the basis of specific combining ability effects, the five hybrids RCBG-2 x Bhagyamathi, RCBG-1 x Bhagyamathi, RCBG-4 x Shyamala, RCBG-6 x Shyamala and RCBG-3 x Bhagyamathi were identified as best specific combiners for marketable yield per plant, hence, which may be further tested over locations, seasons and years for commercial release in regions and states.