Genetic variability among bacterial wilt resistant genotypes of sweet pepper for yield and morpho-physiological traits under mid hill conditions of North Western Himalayas

Abstract

The potential for improvement in crops is proportional to the magnitude of genetic variability present in the germplasm. Therefore, the present study was carried out with twenty six bacterial wilt resistant genotypes of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.) to assess the extent of genetic variability, correlation and path analysis among yield and yield attributing traits. Significant variability was observed for all quantitative and quality traits studied. On the basis of mean performance, the genotype PCWR-1- 3-08 was found to be promising for marketable yield. High phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were observed for total number of fruits/plant, number of marketable fruits/plant, total yield/ plant, marketable yield/ plant and capsaicin content. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was noted for pericarp thickness, number of marketable fruits/plant, marketable yield/plant and capsaicin content, which indicated the role of additive gene action for the inheritance of these traits. These traits are likely to respond better to selection. Correlation and path analysis studies indicated that number of marketable fruits/ plant, average fruit weight, fruit length and days to first harvest contributed to marketable yield. From the present study, it was concluded that the genotypes PCWR-1-3-08, PCWR-Cap-7-08, PCWR-Cap-4-08, PCWR-33-1-3-08 and PCWR-33-3-1-08 could be directly used after multi–location testing as these possessed inherent ability to high yield along with bacterial wilt resistance and superior horticultural and quality traits.