Abstract

The nature and magnitude of genetic variances involved in the inheritance of fruit yield and its components were investigated in a 8 parant diallel cross without reciprocals in chilli (Capsicum annuum L). The graphic. component and combining ability analyses revealed the preponderance of nonadditive genetic varia tion in the inheritance of all the traits Wr-intercepts revealed the partial domi- nance for fruit length, fruits/plant and fruit yield/plant. The dominance components (H, 2H,) p'ayed significant role in the inheritance of all the attributes. Speci- fic combining ability variances were higher than general combining ability for all the traits, as also revealed by average degree of dominance. Heritability estimates were quite low for all the traits. Recurrent selection by way of intermating the most desirabla segregates alternatively with-selection may be employed in advanced generations.

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