Standardisation of hybrid seed production techiques in brinjal Solanum melongena L

Abstract

The field investigations were carried out for standardization of hybrid seed production newlinetechniques in brinjal cv. Arka Navneet at Main Agricultural Research Station, College of newlineAgriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during late kharif 2003 and 2004 to newlinestudy effect of pollination time, pollen viability, fruit load, growth regulators, harvesting stages newlineand method of seed extraction and drying. newlineDuring both the seasons, pollination of emasculated buds at 9:00 am gave higher fruit newlineset (44.91%), hybrid seed yield (56.43 g) per plant, germination (83.23%) and vigour index newline(1406) compared to pollination at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. The similar results were also newlinerecorded with crossing ratio of 4:1 compared to 8:1 and 10:1 crossing ratios. newlineThe use of stored pollen in refrigerated condition recorded significantly higher fruit set newline(45.25%), seed yield (57.49 g) per plant, germination (83.99%) and vigour index (1301) newlinecompared to farmers method of pollen storage. Whereas, fresh pollens also recorded similar newlinesignificant results as compared to two day and three day old pollens. newlineAmong the fruit retention studies, a load of four fruits per plant recorded significantly newlinehigher seed weight (5.37 g) and number of seeds per fruit (1079.6). Whereas, fruit set newline(52.51%) and seed yield (41.07 g) per plant were significantly higher with retention of all fruits newlineper plant. Among growth regulators, GA3 at 50 ppm recorded higher fruit set (36.05%), seed newlineyield (33.96 g) per plant, germination (75.52%) and vigour index (1297) compared to NAA at newline40 ppm and control. newlineHarvesting of fruits turned to full yellow colour recorded higher germination (82.49%), newlinevigour index (1229) and seedling dry weight (15.16 mg) compared to those turning to just newlineyellow colour. Likewise extraction of seeds from wet fruit and shade drying methods recorded newlinehigher germination (85.47%), vigour index (1366) and seedling dry weight (17.04 mg) newlinecompared to other extraction/drying methods.