Combining ability analysis for growth and yield characters in chilli (Capsicum annuum L)

In the present study the experimental material consisted of six parents and 15 F₁s produced in halfdiallelmating design. Analysis of variance for combiningability exhibited the significance for gca and sca effects for all the characters studied. The non-additive effects played a more important role than additive effects. CA-32 was good general combiner for green fruit yield per plant. CA-8 was good general combiner for number of fruits per plant which can be exploited in breeding programme. The maximum sca effect for green fruit yield per plant in F₁ generation was recorded in the cross of CA-23 x CA-32. The hybrids CA-23 x CA-32, CA-8 x CA-23, CA-8 x CA-32 and CA-6 x CA-23 were best specific crosses for several characters on the basis of specific combining ability effect. The results suggested exploitation of hybrid vigour in chilli.