Genetic variability appraisal: Identifying potential chilli Capsicum annuum genotypes through detailed phenotypic analysis for breeding under drought prone regions in Tamil Nadu

S Srividhya; E Jamuna; Devi H Usha Nandhini; P Thilagam; B Swetha; M Deivamani; K Deepana

doi:10.14719/pst.4963

Authors

S Srividhya Horticultural College and Research Institute, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4306-7697
E Jamuna ICAR KVK, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9009-0673
Devi H Usha Nandhini Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0876-9047
P Thilagam Horticultural College and Research Institute, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1111-8509
B Swetha Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5111-285X
M Deivamani ICAR KVK, Paparappatty, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dharmapuri, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9156-5274
K Deepana Regional Research Station, Paiyur, Krishnagiri, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4963

Keywords:

Rainfed Chilli, genetic diversity, correlation, PCA analysis, clustering analysis

Abstract

Genetic diversity provides a broader genetic pool from which a breeder can select varieties that are resistant to climate change-related challenges. Diverse chilli genotypes are more likely to possess genes that confer resistance to emerging diseases and pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions. This study focused on identifying elite chilli genotypes suitable for rainfed conditions in the North-Western zone of Tamil Nadu, an area prone to dry spells during the growing season. Forty-two chilli genotypes were evaluated for growth and yield parameters, revealing significant variability among them. Genotypes, such as Sidlagatta local (SDL local), Japoni Longi and S2 local, exhibited superior performance in terms of fresh fruit yield, number of fruits per plant, individual fruit weight, fruit length and dry fruit yield. Correlation analysis indicated strong relationships between yield and various fruit characteristics, validating their importance for crop improvement. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted key traits contributing to genetic variance, such as plant height, number of primary branches and fruit dimensions, aiding in genotype selection for future targeted breeding programs. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes based on genetic similarity, suggesting potential strategies for hybridization to harness genetic diversity effectively. These findings emphasize the significance of genetic exploration and trait-based selection in enhancing chilli productivity under rainfed conditions amidst changing climatic scenarios.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Kowshika N, Pannerselvam S, Geethalakshmi V, Arumugam T, Jagadeeswaran R. Performance of rainfed chilli crop in Tamil Nadu under climate change in RCP4.5. J Agrometeorol. 2021;23(3):324-29. https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v23i3.37

Fernandez MD, Gallardo M, Bonachela S, Orgaz F, et al. Water use and production of a greenhouse pepper crop under optimum and limited water supply. J Hort Sci Biotech. 2005;80(1):87-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2005.11511897

Sathyamoorthy N, Ramaraj AP, Ganesan D, Dheebakaran K, et al. Characterization of rainfall and length of growing period over North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu. Indian J Ecol. 2017;44:232-38.

Srividhya S, Mohammed Yassin G, Ramesh Kumar S. Genetic variability, diversity and character association for dry fruit yield and quality in chilli. Int J Veg Sci. 2024;1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2024.2378077

Pugalendhi L, Jeevitha J, Usha Nandhini Devi H. Diversity analysis of chilli (Capsicum species) genotypes using DUS descriptors. Int J Chem Stud. 2020;8(4):41-44.

Karim KMR, Rafii MY, Misran A, Ismail MF, Harun AR, Ridzuan R, et al. Genetic diversity analysis among Capsicum annuum mutants based on morpho-physiological and yield traits. Agronomy. 2022;12(10):2436. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102436

Correa AM, Gonçalves MC. Genetic divergence in common bean genotypes grown in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Rev Ceres. 2012;59(2):206-12. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-737X2012000200009

Rahevar PM, Patel JN, Axatjoshi S, Gediya LN. Genetic diversity study in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) using multivariate approaches. Electron J Plant Breed. 2021;12(2):314-24. https://doi.org/10.37992/2021.1202.047

Rasheed A, Ilyas M, Khan TN, Mahmood A, Riaz U, Chattha MB, et al. Study of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield-related traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon Mill.). Front Genet. 2023;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.1030309

Crop Production Guide Agriculture 2022. Tamil Nadu Agriculture University: Coimbatore, India; 2020.

Alam MA, Obaidullah AJ, Naher S, Hasan MM, Fahim AHF, Hoque AHMS. Exploring genetic variability of chilli genotypes in relation to yield and associated traits: Genetic diversity analysis of chilli. Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture. 2024;49(1):95-105. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjagri.v49i1.74596

Banyal N, Sharma A, Lata H. Genetic variability and trait relationship in green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) under high altitude conditions. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding. 2024;15(1):185-93. https://doi.org/10.37992/2024.1501.017

Sharmeen F, Islam AA. Genetic variability and correlation analysis based on yield and yield-related traits in chili (Capsicum annuum L.). Fundam Appl Agric. 2024;9(1):44-50. https://doi.org/10.5455/faa.203070

Singh R, Jindal SK, Patel SAH. Exploring pickled chilli genotypes through evaluation of variability parameters, character association studies and genetic divergence. Scientia Hortic. 2024;329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113018

Lakshmidevamma TN, Jadadeesha RC, Hanchinamani CN. Genotypic, phenotypic correlation and path analysis studies in chilli (Capsicum annuum). Int J Chem Stud. 2021;9:2217-19. https://doi.org/10.22271/chemi.2021.v9.i1ae.11548

Baruah J, Begum T, Lal M. Estimation of environment stability for fruit yield and capsaicin content by using two models in Capsicum chinense Jacq. (Ghost Pepper) with multi-year evaluation. PeerJ. 2024;12. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17511

Singh TN, Joshi AK, Vikram A, Yadav N, Prashar S. Mean performances, character associations and multi-environmental evaluation of chilli landraces in North Western Himalayas. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):769. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51348-5

Usman MG, Rafii MY, Martini MY, Oladosu Y, Kashiani P. Genotypic character relationship and phenotypic path coefficient analysis in chilli pepper genotypes grown under tropical conditions. J Sci Food Agric. 2017;97(4):1164-71. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7843

Saisupriya P, Saidaiah P, Pandravada SR. Assessment of genetic divergence for yield and yield-related traits in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) germplasm. Indian J Plant Genet Resour. 2022;25(2):217-23. https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-1926.2022.00024.9

Swetha B, Devi HUN, Sankari A, Geethanjali S, Sudha M. Variability studies and genetic divergence in chilli (Capsicum spp.) genotypes using multivariate analysis. Electron J Plant Breed. 2023;14(3):928-37. https://doi.org/10.37992/2023.1403.105

Sarmah P, Sarma D, Gogoi S. Genetic diversity, phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis based on morpho-metric traits of Assam chilli. J Plant Genet Crop Res. 2018;1(1):47-61. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2641-9467.jgrc-18-2339

Khodadadi M, Fotokian MH, Miransari M. Genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes based on cluster and principal component analyses for breeding strategies. Aust J Crop Sci. 2011;5(1):17-24.