Evaluation and Selection of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Genotypes for High Yield with Fruit and Shoot Borer Tolerance

Aim: Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is a vital crop of India which belongs to the family Solanaceae with a chromosome number of 2n=24.This study is aimed to evaluate brinjal genotypes and identify superior types with desirable qualities, high yield with fruit and shoot borer tolerance. Study Design: The experimental materials consisted of fifteen genotypes and two checks which were laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Research: The investigation was carried at Horticultural College orchard, Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2021-2022. Methodology: Fifteen local types of brinjal and two checks were collected from several districts of Tamil Nadu and various other sources. Seeds were sown in portrays and then transplanted to main field at the age of 30 days. Growth and yield parameters were observed and recorded. Results: Based on the per se performance of the genotypes, CBE SM-006 was adjudged as the best one since, it has recorded superior performance for the characters studied viz., number of branches, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant. Also, CBE–SM-006 found to have minimum fruit borer infestation and shoot borer infestation hence providing maximum marketable yield per plant. The genotype CBE-SM-105 also performed the best for most of the desirable characters. Thus, CBE-SM-006 could be a promising genotype for further breeding programme. Conclusion: Thus, the study will provide comprehensive knowledge on evolving and selecting superior genotypes which is indispensable to aim at rational improvement in crop plant.