Combining ability studies in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annuam L) is an important spice cum vegetable crop for domestic as well as export purpose. The crop was introduced in India by portugues and now cultivated all over the country. India produces nearly 8.5 lakh tons followed by China and Pakistan. The extent of genetic variation for different traits of economic values and their inheritance are pre requisite to breeder for further upgrading yield (Tembhurene et al. 2008). Similarly, knowledge of combining ability for yield and its components of different parents used in the development of superior hybrid is equally important for sustainable yield advantage (Shrivastav et al. 2004). Hence the genetic nature of yield and its components of various parents were studied to select parents and their superior cross and to understand gene action which helps breeder to formulate effective breeding methodology for genetic improvement.