Distinctiveness, uniformity and stability characterization of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) (2n=2x=24) belongs to the family Solanaceae. A study was carried out during 2018 on DUS characterization of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) to establish distinctiveness, uniformity and stability. Dus traits were recorded on 42 traits namely, plant habit, length of main stem, length of first internode, anthocyanin colouration of nodes, intensity of anthocyanin colouration of nodes, plant height, plant spread, stem pubescence, intensity of pubescence, stem shape, length of leaf blade, width of leaf blade, leaf colour, intensity of green colour, intensity of purple colour, leaf shape, undulation of margin, leaf pubescence, petal colour, anther colour, days to 50% flowering, fruit orientation, fruit bearing habit, fruit colour (mature unripe), intensity of colour, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit curvature, fruit curvature intensity, fruit neck at basal end, fruit sinuation of pericarp, fruit texture of surface, fruit colour, intensity of colour, fruit shape at base, fruit shape at apex, calyx cover, calyx margin, calyx constrictions, pedicel attachment, blossom end appendage as per guidelines of PPV & FR authority (PPV & FR, 2001). These genotypes upon cataloguing showed distinct variations with respect to vegetative, inflorescence and fruit characters. A wide range ofvariation was also observed among the genotypes for several morphological and fruit characters. Among the different characters, plant height, intensity of stem pubescence, stem shape, length of leaf blade, width of leaf blade, leaf intensity of pubescence, petal colour, anther colour, fruit bearing habit, fruit colour (mature unripe), fruit length, fruit colour and fruit intensity of colour showed 100% frequency.