Generation mean analysis of quantitative traits in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) utilizing diverse parents under high rainfall areas of Northwestern Himalayas

Appropriate breeding procedure for potential crop improvement relies on components of genetic variation, their estimation and identification of unique allele combinations to develop novel genotypes with desirable quality traits. Therefore, for the success of any breeding programme it is of utmost importance to have knowledge of gene action. The present study was carried out during the rainy seasons of 2017, 2018, and 2019 in mid-hills of the North-western Himalayas, India with an objective to estimate non-allelic interactions governing economically important horticultural traits in eggplant. The generation mean analysis was carried out utilizing six generations (P-1, P-2, F-1, F-2, B-1 and B-2) of four crosses viz., Res-2 x Res-1, Res-2 x Arka Nidhi, Hisar Shyamal x Res-1, and Arka Nidhi x Hisar Shyamal involving four diverse parents of eggplant. The results revealed presence of a duplicate type of epistasis for yield and its contributing traits in majority of crosses. The study also revealed that selection for recombinants suitable for high rainfall with high yield along with the contributing traits for yield may be retrieved through pedigree breeding by delaying the selection to later generations. Furthermore, the nature and magnitude of genic effects varied with respect to cross combinations for different horticultural traits. Hence, an explicit breeding strategy has to be adopted for improving specific traits in a particular cross combination to develop superior cultivars for high rainfall areas.

Automated summary

The success of a breeding program depends on understanding the components of genetic variation, estimating their effects, and identifying unique allele combinations for developing new genotypes with desired traits. In this study conducted in the mid-hills of the North-western Himalayas, the interactions between non-allelic genes influencing important horticultural traits in eggplant were estimated. The results revealed duplicate type of epistasis for yield and its contributing traits in most crosses, indicating the importance of selecting recombinants with high yield and suitable for high rainfall areas through pedigree breeding. Moreover, the genetic effects varied with cross combinations for different horticultural traits, highlighting the need for specific breeding strategies.