Genetic variability and character association analysis in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation on genetic variability including mean, genotypic and phenotypic variances, coefficient of variation, heritability, and genetic advance was conducted on genetically diverse twenty three genotypes of bell pepper. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits. On the basis of mean performance, genotypes PRC-1, SSP, Kandaghat Sel. and Ranichauri Sel-1 were outperformed for fruit yield per plant, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and took less number of days to 50% flowering. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were high for fruit yield per plant and ascorbic acid content indicating that these traits had wide genetic variability and would respond better to selection. High heritability and high genetic advance were recorded for average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit diameter, number of lobes per fruit, days to first harvest, leaf area and ascorbic acid content indicating the role of additive gene action for the inheritance of these traits. At genotypic levels, the traits fruit length, fruit diameter and number of fruits per plant revealed significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant. Number of fruits per plant exhibited the highest positive direct effect followed by average fruit weight, number of branches per plant, pedicel length and harvest duration at genotypic level.