Hybrid Seed Production of Brinjal: Application, Challenges, and Opportunities
摘要
Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop of India, which is cultivated in about 711 lakh hectares area with a production and productivity of 13, 558 MT and 19.1 MT/ha, respectively. Given the economic importance and heterosis in brinjal, the use of hybrid seeds is important to get higher seed yields and resistance to pest and diseases. The hybrid seed production in brinjal is done through the hand emasculation and pollination, as other pollination-controlling mechanisms such as male sterility and self-incompatibility are not commercially reported. However, Cytoplasmic Genetic Male Sterility (CGMS) system is being utilized in hybrid seed production. This chapter highlights the hybrid seed production technology in brinjal focusing on its botanical characteristics, floral biology, agronomic package of practices for obtaining higher seed yield. Additionally, it delves into the techniques for hybrid seed production, including hand emasculation-pollination and CGMS system of male sterility. Through this chapter, an effort has been made to provide the information on various aspects of quality hybrid seed production of brinjal, which could serve as an instant guidance to the brinjal seed producers, farmers and students.