Genetic diversity analysis of indigenous and exotic chilli genotypes

Genetic diversity analysis of 64 chilli accessions of Indian and exotic origins was performed using 14 qualitative and quantitative traits. Variation was not observed for mature fruit colour, corolla colour and number of anthers. Based on 11 polymorphic traits, the analysis allowed grouping of the accessions into 9 clusters. Using the polymorphic traits, all but one pair of accessions, viz. Selection 40 and ELS 82 were differentiated from each other. Euclidean's inter-cluster distances varied from 12.68 between clusters 5 and 6 to 90.77 between clusters 4 and 5. Intra-cluster distance was maximum in cluster 1 (21.18) and minimum in cluster 5 (6.99). cluster 2 was represented by only one genotype ‘Faslima’. Based on the diversity analysis, parental lines were identified for their utilization in hybrids development and genetic improvement of chilli.