Interspecific hybridization in capsicum

Abstract

The present investigation "Interspecific hybridization in Capsicum" was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during September 1988-April 1990 to study cross compatibility among five Capsicum species and to exploit heterosis in interspecific hybrids. Eighty four chilli accessions, when subjected to the modern taxonomic treatments were found to fall under C. annum L. (62), C. frutescens L. (7), C. chinense Jacq. (14) and C. baccatum L. (1) Protein electrophoretic focussing revealed species specific protein bands in C. chinense, C. baccatum and C. chacoense. Fruit set was obtained in all the 28 crosses made among C. annuum.C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. baccatum and C. chacoense. Viable F1 and F2 seeds were obtained in eight crosses viz., C. annuum x C. chinense (P), C. annuum x C. chinense (NP), C.frutescens x C. annuum, C.chacoense x C. annuum, C. frutescens x C. chinense (P), C. chinense (P) x C. frutescens, C. frutescens x C. chinense (NP) and C. chinense (NP) x C. frutescens.