Correlation studies in Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties and their hybrids

In present investigation twenty eight genotypes of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) including seven Indian and Exotic genotypes and their 21 half diallel hybrids were grown in a randomized block design with three replications in rainfed mid hill conditions of Uttarakhand (2000 m altitude) during Kharif (Summer-rainy season) in 2000. Data on different plant growth, fruit yield and quality characters were recorded to study the correlation coefficients among the characters at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Results indicated that fruit yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with number of pickings and number of fruits per plant suggesting the later as an important selection criterion for improving fruit yield per plant in capsicum. An increase in pericarp thickness and fruit diameter would likely to improve fruit weight on expanse of number of fruits per plant. Initial advantages in vegetative growth would result in delayed picking and fruit yield per plant by reducing the number of fruits per plant and an independent selection should be practiced for improving the ascorbic acid content and number of seeds per fruit in rainfed mid hills of North-Western Himalayas in India.