Physiological and Root Growth Response of Eggplant Genotypes Upon Drought Stress and Assessment of Genetic Parameters at Different Developmental Stage

Abstract

In order to comprehend the effect and presence of genetic variability for drought physiological and root growth response upon drought stress in eggplant at different growth stage of eggplant. Current pot culture experiment was conducted with 50 eggplant genotypes inaccordance with a factorial CRD with 3 replicates per genotypes. Stress treatment was applied at two levels: control (normal moisture) and moisture stress condition during flower initiation stage and fruit initiation stage. The obtained results showed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) among the genotypes in different levels of drought treatment during both the developmental stages of eggplant and even at their interaction levels. Except root- shoot ratio had shown no significant difference at interaction level (moisture stress levels × stages of the plant). The genetic variability analysis revealed the traits like, MSI, RWC (%), epicuticular wax (mg/dm2 ), root length (cm) and root to shoot ratio had shown high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation as well high broad sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance over mean in different moisture condition as well as in different stages of eggplant. The comparative overall mean performance revealed that the genotypes like, Very Green Long, Pusa Upkar, Swarna Pratibha, Pusa Ankur, Solanum indicum, IIHR-322, R-2580, M4, Solanum torvum and IIHR-7 screened as drought tolerant genotypes which showed relatively better
performance at different physiological and root traits. The obtained data could be used in self-improvement or eggplant breeding programs for better physiological drought tolerance traits.

Keywords: membrane stability index, relative water content, epicuticular wax, root length, root to shoot ratio, number of lateral roots

JEL Classification: Q16