Genetic Diversity of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Accessions Based on Morpho-Physiological Characteristics and Root System Architecture Traits

The presence of genetic diversity leads to better adaptation of plants to different environments and enables researchers to select superior genotypes adapted to given culture conditions. In order to estimate the genetic diversity of eggplant, 22 accessions were obtained from the INRAe vegetable germplasm center and the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran and were planted in horticultural science station of University of Tehran, Karaj, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The number of flowers per plant and number of fruits per plant were higher in the MM00007 and FLT02 accessions, respectively. The maximum leaf area (190 cm2 plant-1) was recorded for MM 01597. Accessions FLT46, MM 0064, MM 00108 bis MM 01597 and MM 01010 revealed high variations in root characters. Higher number of root tips and maximum number of roots were assigned for FLT46, and average root orientation and steep root angle frequency for MM 01597 and MM 01010. The correlation of root angles frequency and root number could possibly be exploited in selection programs as factors indirectly involved in increasing yield and the number of flowers per plant. Based on all evaluated traits, genotypes FLT10, MM 01597, MM 01010, FLT46, and FLTE9012 could be used as parents for future eggplant breeding programs due to their desirable agricultural traits.