Estimation of phenotypic diversity of chilli (Capsicum SPP.) germplasm in Sri Lanka

Thirty eight chilli (Capsicum spp.) genotypes were evaluated in a field study to assess genetic diversity of Capsicum spp. in a randomized complete block design with two replications during the period of yala 2015 and maha 2015/16 at the field of Field Crops Research and Development Institute, Mahailluppallama. Fourteen morphological characters including days to 50 % flowering, plant height, plant breath, mature leaf length, mature leaf width, pod length, pod girth, pericarp thickness, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, individual pod weight, number of seeds per pod, pod yield were scored and analysed using analysis of variance and multivariate methods. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for the most of tested traits. Pearson correlation coefficient showed significant positive correlation with most of morphological traits considered. Principal component analysis revealed that the four components explained more than 75% of total variation among genotypes. A total of six groups were defined through cluster analysis including each three main and minor groups. Distinct genetic variation was observed among these groups. Score plot of first two components score for genotypes confirmed the result of cluster analysis. Results of the study with respective to quantitative traits such as plant breath, leaf characters, pod length, pod width, pericarp thickness, pod weight, secondary branches per plant and yield will help for identifying materials and according to breeding objectives diversity of chilli genotypes can be utilised for future chilli improvement programs.