Heterobeltiosis and inbreeding depression for fruit yield and its components in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum)

Abstract

A diallel study was conducted during 2012 13, 2013- 14 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India to assess the extent of heterosis and inbreeding depression in chilli. Five crosses namely, K 1 x Arka Lohit, LCA 625 x K 1, Pusa Jwala x K 1, Pusa Jwala x PKM 1 and K 1 x PKM 1 exhibited higher percentages of heterobeltiosis, revealing involvement of non additive genes and these crosses may be considered as the promising crosses for yield. The crosses gave higher heterobeltiosis in F1 which showed low inbreeding depression in F2 generation. The desirable inbreeding depression that is negative in direction was observed in K 1 x PKM 1 and K 1 x Pusa Jwala for yield and yield contributing characters. Significant and positive heterosis with low inbreeding depression for yield and yield related traits were exhibited by Pusa Jwala x PKM 1, LCA 625 x K 1 and K 1 x Arka Lohit. The segregating materials generated in F2 generation may be utilized for the identification and selection of desirable recombinants in advanced generations in order to develop high yielding varieties with specific attributes.