Identification of Key Traits for Yield Improvement in Brinjal Through Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), also known as poor man’s vegetable, is widely distributed and grown in almost all parts of India. The assessment of genetic variation, correlation and path analysis for various yield and yield attributing traits in the available germplasm is crucial for selecting superior genotypes with desired traits such as yield, fruit quality, disease resistance, and adaptability to environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the potential for further crop improvement through breeding. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the phenotypic correlation and path coefficient among various yield and yield related traits for 42 genotypes of brinjal at the Horticulture Research Centre, SVPUA&T, Meerut (U.P.), India, over two consecutive Kharif seasons in 2022 and 2023 in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability across all the traits examined. In general, magnitudes of genotypic correlation coefficient were higher than their corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient, implying a significant inherent relationship in different pair of traits. Based on the correlation coefficient analysis, fruit yield per plant had significant and positive association with fruit yield per plot, fruit yield per hectare, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit length and fruit girth both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis showed that the traits viz., number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit girth and fruit length exhibited highest direct effects on fruit yield and also indirectly influenced by the other yield contributing traits of brinjal. It is concluded from the study that these traits may be used as key indices towards the direct selection of elite genotypes for the successful breeding programme for yield improvement of brinjal germplasm.