Genotypes performance and genetic variability studies in Hot Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Twenty five diverse Hot Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes were evaluated in a field study to assess genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The highest PCV were recorded for number of fruit plant-¹ (42.0), dry fruit yield plant-¹ (30.34), seed yield plant-¹ (28.94), fruit weight of dry chilli (23.38), number of primary branches plant-¹ at 30 DAT (21.88) and fruit width (21.0). While, highest GCV was observed for number of fruit plant-¹ (41.77), dry fruit yield plant-¹ (29.61), seed yield plant-¹ (27.67) and fruit weight of dry chilli (21.67), The value of heritability (h²bs) was found to be very high for fruit yield plant-¹ (97.91), seed yield plant-¹ (96.82), dry fruit yield plant-¹ (95.24), days to first picking (94.88), fruit length (93.30), fruit weight of green chilli (93.26), fruit yield plot-¹ (92.91), fruit yield ha⁻¹ (92.90) and fruit width (92.02). The highest estimates of genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded for number of fruit plant-¹ (45.59), fruit weight of dry chilli (41.38), fruit width (39.82), dry fruit yield plant⁻¹ (39.52), seed yield plant-¹ (38.70), fruit weight of green chilli (38.10), fruit yield plant-¹ (37.33) and fruit length (36.78) were observed for these all the above characters, imply the potential for crop improvement in chilli through selection.