Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Jayanthi BV, Shashikala S Kolakar, Lakshmana D, Sadashiv Nadukeri and Devaraju

Abstract:
Sixty three chilli genotypes were evaluated to understand the extent of genetic diversity through 16 yield and yield attributing characters. Genetic diversity among 63 genotypes based on 16 characters was worked out using Mahalanobis D² statistics. Based on genetic distance these genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Cluster I was the largest having thirty-eight genotypes followed by cluster II with nineteen genotypes, cluster VI with two genotypes, cluster III, cluster V, cluster VI and cluster VII had one genotype each. The maximum intra cluster distance was in cluster II followed by cluster I whereas maximum inter cluster distance was between cluster IV and cluster V. The character red ripe fruit yield per plant contributed maximum towards genetic diversity followed by green fruit yield per plant. Hence, selection of parents differing in traits may be useful in heterosis breeding programme.