Genetic analysis for dry fruit yield and its component in chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Combining ability effects were estimated for different characters of chilli obtained through line x tester mating design, comprising 9 lines and 2 testers and their resultant 18 F₁ hybrids. The genetic purity of all these lines were maintained through selfing. The seedling of 18 F₁ alongwith 11 parents were transplanted in a randomized block design with three replications in the Department of Vegetable Science of C S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kalyanpur, Kanpur during Kharif 2003. Parents and F₁ is were sown in three rows, having 10 plants in each row. The plant to plant and row to row spacing were maintained at 45 cm apart. The study was based on 14 characters namely days to flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit width, days to first harvest, number of fruits per plant, 1000 seed weight (g), pedicel length, number of seeds per fruit, fruit yield per plant (red ripe) (g), fruit yield per plant (dry) (g), vitamin C (mg/100 g) and capsaicin content (%). Parents and F₁ crosses differed significantly for gca and sea effects for all the characters, respectively. Lines viz. Sel-54, 7722-1 and Sel. 16 were found good general combiners for red ripe ‘as well as dry fruit yield per plant whereas, cross combinations viz. 2003 x 7950, Sel. 54 x 7950, Sel. 16 x Sel. A-4 for red-ripe yield and Sel. 54 x 7950, A-28 x Sel. A-4 and 7722-1 x 7950 were best specific combinations for dry fruit yield per plant and other yield contributing traits.