Deciphering genetics of bell pepper for agro-morphological and quality traits through generation mean analysis

This study was aimed to estimate the gene action (additive, dominant and digenic-epistasis) for agro morphological and quality traits in bell pepper. Generation mean analysis was performed involving four crosses that were derived from four diverse parents. Significance of scaling tests revealed that additive-dominance model was inadequate in all the crosses for all the traits, suggesting presence of higher order non-allelic interactions. For marketable fruits per plant, the cross combination C4 exhibited positive and higher dominance [h] and additive × additive [i] gene interactions coupled with duplicate type of epistasis. This suggested the exploitation of heterosis breeding as well as the selection of desirable segregants through pedigree method. For marketable fruit yield per plant, the cross EC-464115 × KS (C2) expressed higher dominance [h] gene action (relatively higher magnitude of dominance interaction). This suggested that exploitation of hybrid vigour will be rewarding. However, the cross C4 positive and higher dominance [h] and additive × additive [i] gene interactions coupled with duplicate type of epistasis again suggested the utilization of heterosis breeding in addition to the selection of desirable segregants through pedigree method. The mean performance revealed that the cross C1 showed the highest performance for the traits marketable fruits per plant and marketable fruit yield per plant whereas, the cross C2 for primary branches/plant, ascorbic acid content and capsaicin content. Morphologically also, the F₁s derived from the above two crosses were having blocky, dark green fruits as compare to their parents which were having yellow-green fruits.