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Research work was undertaken in brinjal to develop genotypes with high yield and resistance to shoot and fruit borer. In experiment I, intervarietal hybrids and their parents were evaluated. In the intervarietal crosses, significant differences were recorded for all the traits. Evaluation of parents and intervarietal hybrids revealed that the parents EP 65, MDU 1 and APAU Bagmathi and the hybrids EP 65 x Pusa Uttam and EP 12 x MDU 1 were superior performers. In experiment II, four interspecific hybrids were developed using four cultivated brinjal genotypes viz., EP 45, EP 65, CO 2 and MDU 1 as female parents and the wild type Solanum viarum as male parent. None of the interspecific crosses exhibited resistance to shoot and fruit borer. Based on low fruit borer infestation with high yield, the selected F6 and BC3F3 plants were recommended for further research programmes. Correlation studies and path analysis were carried out to study the biometric traits associated with yield and borer infestation. The isozyme analysis was carried out to study the biochemical basis of the resistance.

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Dr.M. Prabhu is working as an Assistant Professor(Horticulture) at TNAU, Coimbatore. He has published 6 books, 42 research articles, 25 book chapters and attended 27 conferences and 4 training programmes. He is a recipient of the two awards. He has actively involved in the development of brinjal hybrid COBH 2.

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