Studies on growth parameters and seed quality in capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.)

Wide range of variability was observed for different characters viz., plant height (41.80 to 50.26 cm), number of fruits per plant (5.33 to 12.44), fruit weight (41.51 to 96.10 g), fruit yield per plant (322.7 to 1066.8 g), number of seeds per fruit (86.35 to 191.33), speed of germination (12.10 to 37.30), standard germination (43.00 to 82.66), seedling length (4.80 cm to 8.40 cm) and vigour index-II (6.76 to 25.46). The plant height showed significant positive correlation with pedicle length (0.467) at genotypic level, while its relation with fruit weight was significantly positive both at genotypic and phenotypic levels (0.661 and 0.503 respectively). Seedling fresh weight showed significant positive correlation with shoot length at genotypic level (0.738) and seedling fresh weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels (0.652, 0.649). The genotype PRC-1001 showed good performance in mid hill conditions for the different seed quality and field parameters. The wide variability and association among the traits can be utilized in breeding programmes.