A total of five eggplant accessions 1: PI 206472, 2: 'Long green', 3: 'Campineira', 4: 'Flórida Market' and 5: 'E-22' - and the hybrids 1 x 3; 1 x 4; 2 x 4; 2 x 5 and 3 x 5, were evaluated with regard to the average of length, diameter, and weight of commercial fruits, and average of number of fruits per plant and fruit yield. The average of hybrids 1 x 2, 1 x 5, 2 x 3, 3 x 4, and 4 x 5 were predicted, based on partial diallel cross methodology. The objective of this study was to identify both favorable accessions and hybrids for breeding programs. The additive genetic effects were shown to be the most important for all traits analyzed. Accessions PI 206472 and 'Campineira' were indicated for intrapopulational breeding programs based on general combining ability. Among the analyzed and predicted hybrids 1 x 3, 1 x 4, 1 x 5, and 3 x 5 presented potential for commercial exploitation.
Solanum melongena L.; eggplant; dialelic analysis; combining ability; heterosis
