Genetic Divergence and DUS Characterization for Yield and Quality Traits in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Genotypes

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to assess the extent of genetic divergence and to characterise the morphological DUS traits of thirty brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes raised in an RBD with three replications during the kharif season. Divergence among the genotypes was estimated for seventeen yield, yield-component and biochemical quality characters using the generalised distance (D²) procedure of Mahalanobis, and the genotypes were subsequently sorted into groups by Tocher's method. The analysis resolved the genotypes into four non-overlapping clusters of unequal size, with cluster II accommodating the largest number of genotypes (twelve), followed by cluster IV (eight), cluster III (seven) and cluster I (three). Intra-cluster distances ranged from 4.148 in cluster II to 6.078 in cluster III, while inter-cluster distances varied from 5.100 between clusters II and IV to a maximum of 7.605 between clusters III and IV. Cluster mean comparisons revealed that cluster III combined the highest fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit-setting percentage and fruit dimensions, cluster II was distinguished by the tallest plants, the greatest number of leaves, flowers and fruits per plant, and cluster I recorded the highest ascorbic acid content and total soluble solids. Fruit yield per plant contributed the largest share (12.56%) to the total divergence, followed by number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant and number of branches per plant, while days to last fruit harvest, total phenol content and fruit width contributed the least. DUS characterisation of fruit shape and fruit colour showed considerable morphological diversity across the genotypes, with fruit shape and fruit colour serving as distinguishing features. The findings collectively indicate that adequate genetic divergence and morphological distinctness exist within the evaluated germplasm to support both varietal identification and the planning of hybridisation programmes aimed at combining high fruit weight with prolific fruit bearing.