Abstract
The genus Capsicum is cultivated in various parts of the world, with C. annuum showing high diversity and potential for ornamental purposes and genetic improvement. The aim of this work was to evaluate the combining ability and heterosis of seedling and plant traits in accessions of ornamental pepper and their hybrids. Seven accessions of C. annuum were handcrossed and twelve quantitative plant traits were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, the Scott-Knott test and diallel analysis using Griffing's method I (fixed model). Heterosis and its components were also determined. Non-additive effects were found for seedling height, cotyledonous leaf length and width; stem diameter and chlorophyll b content. All other traits showed predominance of additive effects. Heterosis effects were found for some hybrids and UFPB134 x UFPB137, UFPB134 x UFPB390, UFPB134 x UFPB004 and UFPB099 x UFPB004 showed seedlings that are more vigorous.
Highlights
Capsicum genus belongs to Solanaceae family and there are more than 30 species in this genus
The coefficient of variation (CV) varied from 7.7% for canopy width to 44.0% for cotyledonous leaf length (Table I)
The smallest values for plant height, first bifurcation height, and canopy width were found in genotypes UFPB001 and UFPB099 and the hybrid 001 x 099
Summary
Capsicum genus belongs to Solanaceae family and there are more than 30 species in this genus. The ornamental use of pepper plants increased in the last years and for this particular use, plants need to be short and have a small canopy (Silva Neto et al 2014, Pessoa et al 2018, Rêgo and Rêgo 2016, 2018). Other characteristics such as fast-growth and increased postharvest life should be selected in breeding programs for ornamental purpose To increase the frequency of favorable alleles into a single genotype is the greatest challenge in a breeding program
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