Studies on the C2 generation of the colchicine induced polyploids of chillies (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken in the Division of Agricultural Botany, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vellayani with a view to study the morphological variations that existed in the C2 generation of the colchicine induced tetraploid chillies. Detailed morphological studies of the plants in C2 generation and cytological analysis of the suspected polyploids were conducted. The seeds from the colchicine induced polyploid chillies were carried over to the C2 generation . From the cytological observations made on selected individuals in the C2 population, it was revealed that there occurred 24 tetaploids and three diploids, leading to the conclusion that the C1 tetraploid was possibly a mixoploid. Some of the individuals showed stunted growth in early stages. But most were found to be gigas in size. A general increase in the vigour of morphological characters such as height of plants, spread of plants, number of branches and yield of fruits were found in all cases of polyploids.