Abstract
Hot pepper production in most areas of Ethiopia especially in Tigray region is constrained by shortage of varieties, the prevalence of fungal and bacterial as well as viral diseases. Sixty-four hot pepper genotypes were evaluated to obtain the extent of genetic variability, association among characters. The experiment was laid out using 8x8 simple lattice design at Axum Agricultural Research center in 2017/18. Data were collected for 19 agronomic characters and analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p<0.01) among the genotypes for all characters. Fruit yield ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 t ha-1 with a mean of 2.7 t ha-1. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from 3.57and 3.84 for days to maturity to 42.4 and 42.9% for average single fruit weight. All the traits had moderate to very high broad sense heritability while genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) ranged from 8.34 for days to maturity to 85% for average single fruit weigh. High heritability coupled with high GAM was obtained for average single fruit weight, fruit length, dry fruit yield per plant, fruit diameter and thousand seed weight reflecting the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits and improvement of these characters could be done through selection. Fruit yield per hectare had positive and highly significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with dry fruit yield per plant, average single fruit weight, fruit pericarp thickness, thousand seed weight, fruit diameter and fruit length, but it had negative and highly significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations with days to maturity. Estimates of genotypic and phenotypic direct and indirect effects of various characters on fruit yield showed that dry fruit yield per plant, fruit pericarp thickness had the highest positive direct contribution to fruit yield indicating that selection based on these characters will improve fruit yield. In conclusion, the research results showed the presence of significant variations among genotypes for agro-morphology traits. Therefore, it is recommended further evaluation of genotypes or hybrids that exhibited highest yield, quality and disease resistance in subsequent breeding programs to improve the productivity of the crop.
Highlights
The genus Capsicum belongs to the family Solanaceace and it includes 30 species, including five domesticated and commercially cultivated species (C. annuum L., C. baccatum L., C. chinensis Jacq., C. frutescence L. and C. pubescence ) (Dagnoko et al, 2013)
High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) was obtained for average single fruit weight, fruit length, dry fruit yield per plant, fruit diameter and thousand seed weight reflecting the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits and improvement of these characters could be done through selection
Estimates of genotypic and phenotypic direct and indirect effects of various characters on fruit yield showed that dry fruit yield per plant, fruit pericarp thickness had the highest positive direct contribution to fruit yield indicating that selection based on these characters will improve fruit yield
Summary
The genus Capsicum belongs to the family Solanaceace and it includes 30 species, including five domesticated and commercially cultivated species (C. annuum L., C. baccatum L., C. chinensis Jacq., C. frutescence L. and C. pubescence ) (Dagnoko et al, 2013). From the five-domesticated species of the genus C. annuum L. is the most widely cultivated species worldwide (Pickersgill, 1997) It is the world’s most important vegetable after tomato and used as fresh, dried or processed products, as vegetables and spices or condiments (Berhanu et al, 2011). Assessment of variability, association and heritability of traits in hot pepper genotypes in case of Central zone of Tigray agro-ecology is essential for planning an appropriate breeding strategy for genetic improvement of the crop. The present study was undertaken with the objectives to estimate phenotypic and genotypic variations, heritability and expected genetic advance of agronomically important traits in the hot pepper genotypes, to assess the extent of associations among yield and yield related traits and to identify the most yield predicting traits
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