Combining Ability Studies in Chili (Capsicum Annuum L)

The material under investigation was made to estimates the general combining ability(GCA), specific combining ability(SCA), nature combining ability in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) through Line x Tester mating design pattern with three lines and seven testers for distinct ten quantitative and qualitative attributes viz; days to 50% flowering, Number of primary branches per plant ,Number of secondary branches per plant, plant height (cm), Days to first harvest (Days), Number of fruit per plant, Fruit length (cm),Fruit diameter (cm), Moisture percentage of wet chilli at harvest (%) Stalk length (cm), Average fruit weight (g), Number of seeds per fruit 1000 Seed weight (g) ,Wet red chilli yield per plant (g)Fruit yield (qtl /ha) were studied. Based on the GCA effects female parent AKC-435 was found to be a good general combiner for number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, plant height (cm), fruit diameter, moisture % of wet chilli at harvest, average fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, 1000 seed weight, wet red chilli yield per plant, fruit yield (qtl/ha). The male parent N-57 was good general combiner for number of fruit, number of primary branches, wet red chilli yield per plant and fruit yield. The male parent N-51 was found to possess highest GCA effect for days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, number of fruit, wet red chilli yield per plant and fruit yield (qtl/ha). Four cross combinations viz. The cross viz, AKC-435 X N-57 revealed significant desirable sca effect simultaneously for fruit yield and most of its component characters. Similarly, the hybrids AKC-435 X N-72-2, AKC-438 X N-57, and AKC-435 X GP-235 showed desirable per se performanc hence, recommended for yield improvement through heterosis breeding.