QTL Mapping of Horticultural Traits and Identification of Candidate WRKY Genes as a Source of Resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum causing Bacterial Wilt Disease in Eggplant Solanum melongena L

Abstract

Cultivated eggplant or brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is third most consumed vegetable newlinefruit crop after tomato and potato in the genus Solanum with over 50 million tons worldwide newlineannual productivity (FAOSTAT 2018). Large consumption of eggplant fruit is due to its unique newlinetaste, low calories and high content of vital compounds such as minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, newlineanti-oxidants and many other phyto-active ingredients of health benefit. India holds 27% share of newlinethe World total eggplant production with West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, newlineChattisgarh, Karnataka, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh being the major eggplant producing states in newlineIndia. newline