Inheritance of yield components in diallel crossing of divergent genotypes (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the mode of inheritance, the combining ability and the components of genetic variance for fruit weight and fruit number per plant in five divergent eggplant genotypes. The investigation was based on data from the F-1 generation. Testing of mean values of the F-1 generation in relation to parents showed that the most frequent mode of inheritance was partial dominance. In most hybrids, partial dominance was estimated as the mode of inheritance for both characters. The analysis of components of genetic variance for yield components has showed that the main part of genetic variance belongs to the additive gene effect. The high values of heritability indicated a more important role of additive genes. It can be concluded that selection of genotypes with high average values for fruit weight and fruit number per plant could be a way for the improvement of eggplant breeding.