Variability in a set of chilli lines

Abstract

The study was aimed to estimate variability in the existing germplasm of chilli and to study components of variation. Significant differences were observed for many of the quantitative characters. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for fruits/plant (75.16) followed by fruit length (59.21) and main stem length (55.87). Fruit yield/plant recorded only moderate value of pcv (43.54) High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for fruit length and main stem length. Fruits/plant had moderately high estimates of heritability and expected genetic advance. Days to flower, days to red chilli harvest and fruit girth having high heritability estimates had only low expected genetic advance. There is scope to evolve chilli line with long fruit aTid more fruits/plant through simple selection method.