Yield performance, heritability and interrelationships in some quantitative traits of “tatasai” pepper ( Capsicum annum L.)

Abstract

Yield performance, heritability, correlation and path analysis were studied in 5 genotype of `tatasai' pepper for 2 years in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. L 5962-2. PL-2289 and U-Kimba had the highest fresh fruit yield (1.215, 1.183 and 1.087 t/ha respectively). Broad sense heritability ranged from 34.7% in yield to 85.3% for number of fruit/plant. Genotypic coefficient of variation was high for number of fruit/plant (30.1%), yied (22.9%) and percent fruit set (17.0%). Fresh fruit yield was positive and higly correlated with all the traits studied except plant height. Path analysis revealed that percent fruit set, total number of leaves and number of fruit set, total number of leaves and number of fruit/plant had the highest positive direct effect on fresh fruit yield, while plant height had low negative direct and indirect effect on fruit yield. Key words: Yield, heritability, correlation, path analysis, tatasi pepper.