Variability Studies in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) with Reference to Yield Attributes

Field experiments were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh during the rainy season 2004-2007, with ten chilli genotypes supplied by AICRP on vegetables (from different geographical sources). This was to study genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent mean for several economic characters to identify promising cultivars suitable for the Krishna-Godavari zone of Andhra Pradesh. Data were collected on eight characters, viz., plant height, plant spread and number of fruits per plant; fruit length, fruit girth, number of seeds per fruit, ripe-chilli yield and dry-chilli yield. Significant differences were observed among genotypes in respect of all the characters studied. Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was slightly higher than Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for all the traits, indicating a low environmental influence on expression of these traits. High GCV and PCV were observed for ripe-chilli yield, dry-chilli yield, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit and fruit length indicating a higher magnitude of variability in these traits and, consequently, a greater scope for improvement through simple selection. Low GCV and PCV were recorded for plant height, plant spread and fruit girth suggesting a limited variability, for these traits. High heritability, coupled with high Genetic Advance as per cent mean, was observed for ripe-chilli yield, dry chilli yield, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit and fruit length, indicating the influence of additive genes. These characters-with high GCV, PCV, Heritability and Genetic Advance as per cent mean-should be considered as reliable selection criteria for crop improvement for yield and yield attributing characters in chilli.