Abstract

                                Outstanding cultivars could be developed successfully and efficently by concentrating breeding on yield components than on yield itself. Two yield components namely fruit seed weight (FSWT) and number of seeds/fruit (FSN) were studied utilizing the diverse chilli germplasm maintained at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. A fourfold variability was observed in each of FSWT and FSN and also in some other fruit characters. FSWT and FSN showed significant differences among the genotypes which included several high yielding cultivars popular in different States in India. The order of performance of the genotypes in respect of FSWT and FSN was similar. Positive correlation between FSWT and FSN was observed. Regression analysis indicated that FSWT was mainly dependent on FSN and FD positively and on FL (fruit length) and fruit length :fruit diameter ratio negatively. For obtaining higher fruit yield, genetic improvement in the characters namely FSN, FSWT, FD and fruit weight is to be aimed at.

Key words : Chilli, Genotypes, Fruit Seed Weight, Fruit Seed Number, Fruit Weight, Correlation, Regression