ASSESSMENT OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.) GENOTYPES AND SELECTION OF PARAMETERS FOR BETTER YIELD

One of the goals in eggplant breeding (Solanum melongena L.) is higher yield. The research included 20 different genotypes that are part of the collection of the Institute of Vegetables, Smederevska Palanka. Sixteen genotypes originated from Serbia, 2 from the Netherlands, 1 from Italy and 1 from Israel. The experiment was conducted at on location, Vranovo (44°36’6,35”N, 20°59’55.47”E, altitude 87 m) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Yield parameters (earliness, plant height/cm, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight/g, fruit length and width/cm, fruit yield per genotype/kg) were examined to study the traits relations and to effects on eggplant yield. Number of fruits per plant had positive and significant correlation with yield (r=0.685**). The data showed positive correlation between each of: plant height to fruit length (r=0.812**), plant height to fruit weight (r=0.147), fruit width to fruit weight (r=0.523*). This characteristics had direct or indirect positive effect on yield so it can be taken as selection criteria to increase final yield of eggplant. Since there is genetic variability between tested genotypes, progress in breeding will depend on this variation. Earliness had negative correlation with yield (r=-0.044) and with all others parameters.