Breeding strategies based on diversity analysis in advance breeding lines of chilli (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L.)

An attempt was made to determine the degree of divergence in 64 genotypes of chilli which were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during summer-rainy season 2015. The observations were recorded on 17 biometrical traits including 14 quantitative and three qualitative traits. A considerable amount of genetic diversity was observed among the genotypes, arranged in eight clusters with maximum in cluster II and four were mono-genotypic cluster. Leaf length contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence followed by fruit length, primary branches/plant, plant height, capsaicin content, fresh fruit yield/plant, pedicel length, oleoresin content and fruit girth. Based on intra and inter cluster distance and mean performance for desirable attributes, Nine genotypes namely, DPCh-17, DPCh-39’, ‘DPCh-12, DPCh-9, DPCh-35, DPCh-45, DPCh-5, DPCh-28 and DPCh-43 from diverse clusters along with ‘DPCh-10, DPCh-36, DPCh-8 and DPCh-15 from mono-genotypic groups offer promise for their direct use as varieties and as potential parents in future breeding programmes to isolate transgressive segregants..