Genetic variability and correlation analysis based on yield and yield related traits in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

A field experiment was conducted in the field laboratory of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, during the period from October 2018 to April 2019, to determine the genetic variability and correlation for yield and yield attributing traits of twenty-eight chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Seeds of the selected chilli genotypes were collected from different sources and were raised in polybags and then transplanted to the experimental plot. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on yield and yield related traits were recorded at the respective stage of the crop. Among the studied genotypes, the fruit length (FRLN) varied 1 cm to 16.3 cm with an average length of 6.5 cm. The lowest fruit diameter (FRDM) was 3.3 mm and the highest was 15.1 mm. The fruit yield ranged between 0.018 and 1.044 kg/plant. The lowest fruit weight was recorded 0.3 g, while the highest fruit weight was 6.3 g. The highest significant genotypic and phenotypic variance was found in number of fruits/plant and genotypic co-efficient of variation and phenotypic co-efficient of variation were found highest in fruit yield/plant (FYPP). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found in number of fruits/plant which indicates that the heritability is due to additive gene effects and the selection might be very effective in chilli breeding. Among the agronomic parameters, FYPP was significantly correlated with individual fruit weight and the amount of seeds/plant. It was also found that the height of chilli plant positively influenced the amount of fruits/plant. However, plant height negatively affected fruit diameter and number of fruits per plant. The results of the present study suggests that there is a great genetic potential in the studied genotypes. This study did not use molecular markers to assess genetic diversity; instead, it focused on a single location during a single season. Therefore, repeated genotype evaluation across multiple locations is recommended in order to assess the genetic diversity of genotype types based on molecular markers.