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.