Heterosis and Combining Ability Studies in Brinjal (Solanum melongena)

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family. The genus Solanum comprises approximately 200 tuber bearing and 1800 non-tuber bearing species. Brinjal belongs to non-tuber bearing species. The brinjal or eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is widely cultivated species with somatic chromosome number 2n = 24. There are three main botanical varieties under the species Solanum melongena L. The round or egg shaped cultivars are grouped under var. esculentum, the long, slender types are included under var. serpentinum and dwarf brinjal plants are put under var. depressum. Brinjal is referred by various names in different parts of the country as baigan (Hindi), Badanekai (Kannada), Vangi (Marathi), Katharikai (Tamil), Vankai (Telagu) etc. Internationally, it is referred as Egg plant (England) or Aubergine (France). Further, in various other countries it is referred as Berenjena (Spain) and Alberenjina (Arab Countries).