Effect of pollination time and crossing ratio on fruit set and seed yield of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) hybrid in middle Gujarat

Abstract

Flowering and fruit set are two most important factors determining the seed yield of cultivated brinjal. An investigation was carried out to find the effect of different pollination time and female to male flower crossing ratios on fruit set and seed yield parameters of brinjal hybrid seed production. The experiment result revealed that different pollination time and crossing ratios had significant effect on seed quality parameters. Among the different pollination time, pollination at 9.00 to 11.00 am recorded significantly higher fruit set per cent (64.53%) with higher number of fruit set per plant (9.64) fruit weight (342.9 g), fruit length (39.95 cm), fruit girth (15.92 cm), mature fruit yield per plant (3274.9 g), seed yield per plant (23.99 g), number of seeds per fruit (425.5), seed weight per fruit (2.47 g) and 1000 seed weight (5.61 g) in compared to other pollination times irrespective of time of pollination, crossing of four female flowers with one male flower (4:1) recorded significantly higher fruit set per cent (66.17%), number of fruit set per plant (10.22), fruit weight (345.7 g), fruit length (40.89 cm), fruit girth (16.14 cm), mature fruit yield per plant (3486.3 g), seed yield per plant (26.44 g), number of seeds per fruit (475.8), seed weight per fruit (2.71 g) and 1000 seed weight (5.72 g) compared to other crossing ratios in seed parent of brinjal hybrid seed production.