Effect of Hybridization on the Nutrient Compositions of Two Cultivars of Solanum aethiopicum L. (Solanaceae) Found in Anambra State

Background and Objective: The desire for modification of valuable crop species for human nutritional fulfilment and economic growth is essential. Two cultivars of Solanum aethiopicum L.found in Anambra State were hybridized to raise an F₁ that might combine the attributes of the parental lines for enhancement in yield and biochemical contents for health nutritional requirements. Materials and Methods: The emasculation method was adopted, using Solanum aethiopicum var. “Anara Adazi as the female parent and transference of functional pollen from Solanum aethiopicum var. “Anara” to the stigmas of the emasculated plant at the correct time. Nutrient analysis of the fruits of F₁ and the parental plants was carried out using the standard method. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results: Results revealed that parental plants and F₁ contained investigated nutrients in varied amounts. Ash content, crude fiber and protein were higher in the fruit of F₁ hybrid (10.90±0.11, 21.50±1.51 and 5.01±0.24), respectively when compared to the fruits of the parental plants. Conclusion: Data obtained indicated that when two Solanum aethiopicum plants of different but closely related cultivars are crossbred, a new hybrid that possesses enhanced characteristics of the two parent plants is produced. Results of the nutrient analysis demonstrated that hybridization could significantly increase food nutrients in eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum).