Genetic parameters and simultaneous selection using traits of ornamental interest in pepper plants

Abstract

Pepper plants of the genus Capsicum are widely grown worldwide. The Capsicum annuum species shows ornamental potential; nevertheless, in the state of Piauí, there has been a lack of studies on its performance, related to quality traits needed to meet market demand. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and associations between traits of ornamental interest in C. annuum in order to indicate, by simultaneous selection of traits, accessions to start an ornamental pepper breeding program in Piauí. We evaluated 16 accessions of C. annuum under plastic house conditions at Universidade Federal do Piauí. Number of days to flowering, number of days to fruit maturation, plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit persistence, fruit length, fruit width, leaf length and fruit weight were evaluated. A significant difference (p≤0.01) between accessions for all traits was noticed. Coefficient of genetic variation / coefficient of experimental variation [Cvg/Cve (%)] ratios were greater than 1 and the genotypic determination coefficient (H²) values were all greater than 89.95%. The estimates of the genotypic correlations were higher in relation to phenotypic correlations in most of the traits, however, according to path analysis, an effect of residual variable (0.59) was verified. According to the results, the accessions BAGC 98, 199, 207 and 236 can be used as parents to start an ornamental pepper breeding program in Piauí.