Genetic Diversity and Multivariate Studies in Elite Lines of Eggplant: Objectives, Results and Discussion

The present study addresses the following objectives: i) To estimate the amount of genetic variability among different traits in eggplant, ii) To evaluate correlation coefficient and direct and indirect effect through path coefficient analysis between yield and yield contributing characters, and, iii) To determine the magnitude of genetic divergence among genotypes of eggplant. The data obtained from twenty-six diverse genotypes of eggplant was subjected to standard statistical analysis i.e. ANOVA, coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficient, path coefficient and genetic divergence. The results obtained are: i) Analysis of variance revealed highly significant variance for all the traits studied suggesting greater variability in the existing material, ii) The association and path studies revealed that leaf area index, fruits per plant, fruit weight and days to last picking are the most important characters contributing towards yield, and, iii) High contribution of traits like leaves per plant, fruit weight and percent fruit set towards total divergence suggested selection of parents based on these characters for exploitation of hybrid vigour.