Inheritance of qualitative characters from male sterile hot-pepper into male fertile bell-pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Chilli and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) popularly known as ‘Lal Mirch’ and ‘Shimla Mirch’, respectively are important solanaceous crops grown throughout the world. The study was carried out at the main farms of the university by crossing hot-pepper male sterile genotypes, DKC-12A and DKC-12ms, with male fertile varieties of bell pepper i.e California Wonder and HC-201. F₁’s were produced during 2007, F₂’s and backcrosses during 2008. The whole material was evaluated during 2009. The experiment was laid out in compact family block design where the crosses were considered as families and generations within crosses as progenies and replicated thrice. Qualitative characters were subjected to Mendelian ratios and goodness of fit was tested by chi-square test. The dominance of pendent over upright bearing habit was found to be governed by a single dominant gene. Similarly, the chilli type fruit shape was partially dominant over the bell shape. Male sterility was found to be monogenic recessive. The anther colour revealed the dominance of grayish purple anther colour over dark blue colour and controlled by single gene. The dark blue anther colour was associated with male sterility.