Diallel Analysis of Chilli Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Genotypes for Morphological and Fruit Biochemical Traits

Abstract

Chilli pepper is commercially cultivated as a spice and is also used for the extraction of a colouring agent. Here, we performed a diallel genetic study involving five chilli pepper varieties. Parents and their hybrid were evaluated for fifteen morphological and five biochemical traits over two crop seasons under open field conditions. Variation was recorded for all of the studied traits. Similarly, significant values for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variance were obtained for all of the traits. The ratio of σ 2 SCA/σ 2 GCA indicates that non-additive gene effects were predominant for all the studied traits except for fruits plant −1 . Based on SCA effects, cross combinations P2 × P5, and P4 × P5 were determined excellent for flesh thickness, yield components and vitamin C. These hybrids are recommended for multilocation testing to assess their suitability for commercial cultivation. Overall, this work presents useful information regarding the genetics of important morphological and biochemical traits in chilli pepper.

Appraisal of Genetics and Heterosis of Important Traits in Chilli Pepper Cultivated under the Influence of Chilli Leaf Curl Virus Disease

“…To estimate the vitamin C content from green fruits, 2,6-dichloro phenol indophenol dye procedure method was followed [29,65].…”

“…This, in turn, suggests the breeder whether to go for F1 hybrid development or selection in subsequent generations to realize homozygous promising lines [27]. The information on combining ability effects (general and specific combining ability) are useful for the precise interpretation of the genetic basis of promising traits [28][29][30]. Keeping in view of these facts and need, the present investigation was planned with the following three objectives:…”

Heterosis and combining ability vis‐à‐vis association for green fruit yield and component traits involving male sterile lines in chilli (Capsicum annuum) under wet temperate zone of North Western Himalayas

“…Fresh green and red chilli fruits are immense source of vitamin C (Meena et al, 2020) and contain vitamin A, B‐complex group of vitamins (niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin) as well as antioxidants and minerals (α‐carotene, lutein, potassium, magnesium and iron) which protect eyes, skins and heart from dysfunctions (Chakrabarty et al, 2019; Karim et al, 2021). The pungency in chilli is because of ‘capsaicinoids’, a group of alkaloids, of which ‘capsaicin’ and ‘dihydrocapsaicin’ are the major ones present in the placenta of fruits (Aiswarya et al, 2020; Reyes‐Escogido et al, 2011). These alkaloids have diverse prophylactic and therapeutic uses in allopathic and ayurveda and in the defensive weapon industry (Caterina et al, 2000; Olatunji & Afolayan, 2018).…”

“…potassium, magnesium and iron) which protect eyes, skins and heart from dysfunctions (Chakrabarty et al, 2019;Karim et al, 2021). The pungency in chilli is because of 'capsaicinoids', a group of alkaloids, of which 'capsaicin' and 'dihydrocapsaicin' are the major ones present in the placenta of fruits (Aiswarya et al, 2020;Reyes-Escogido et al, 2011). These alkaloids have diverse prophylactic and therapeutic uses in allopathic and ayurveda and in the defensive weapon industry (Caterina et al, 2000;Olatunji & Afolayan, 2018).…”

Current status, breeding strategies and future prospects for managing chilli leaf curl virus disease and associated begomoviruses in Chilli (Capsicum spp.)

“…An adequate and proficient protocol for germplasm screening is required to be successful in breeding for resistance to ChiLCV ( Koeda et al., 2015 ). Natural field screening was often used in the early 1960s to identify sources of resistance based on disease occurrence and severity of chilli leaf curl virus disease ( Aiswarya et al., 2019 ). The use of “hot spots”, which are locations with high disease pressure combined with strain or species characterization using molecular tools are key for successful natural screening of leaf curl virus.…”