Genetic Diversity for Fruit Quality Traits in Elite Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) Germplasm Lines

The study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of twenty-two elite capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) germplasm lines across nine quanlitative traits. The research was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Institute Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka, during 2014-2015 period. The experimental design employed was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The quality parameters under study included fruit length (cm), fruit width (cm), pericarp thickness (mm), placenta length (cm), placenta width (cm), total soluble solids (°Brix), fruit to seed ratio, seed number and total capsaicinoids (Scoville Heat Units). Based on the performance of the study, a cluster analysis of twenty-two chilli germplasm lines were grouped into three clusters. Cluster I had a maximum of sixteen genotypes and clusters III had a minimum of one genotype. The highest inter–cluster distance (60.521) was observed in between clusters I and II and the lowest (17.964) in between clusters I and III. Among the traits examined, fruit length and total capsaicinoids contributed the most to the genetic divergence. Considering group cluster analysis, mean performance and variability, it is recommended to explore inter genotypic crosses between cluster I and cluster II, as well as cluster I and cluster III, for future hybridization programmes in chilli crop improvement.