Search

Understanding the genetic variability and diversity of crops is the basis for breeding and improving of crops. Sixty four Ethiopian hot pepper genotypes were evaluated in 8×8 simple lattice design for genetic variability in green fruit yield and yield related traits at Axum Agricultural Research Center during 2018/2019 under irrigation. Data were collected on green pod yield and yield related characters. The analysis of variance showed significant amount of variations among genotypes in their mean performances of studied traits. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for average fruit weight (145.03, 97.11), fruit length (97.43,98.62), number of fruits per plant (78.54,95.78), number of branches per plant (77.65, 98.64), green pod yield per plant (74.26,99.80) and fruit pericarp thickness (63.61,97.76), respectively. This indicates that these traits are predominantly governed by additive gene action. From correlation study fruit yield per plant exhibited highly significant positive association with average fruit weight (0.72, 0.71), fruit length (0.69, 0.68) and fruit diameter (0.61, 0.60)) at both genotypic and phenotypic levels, respectively. Fruit length had the highest direct effect (0.46) on fruit yield per plant, followed by average fruit weight (0.36). In general, result of this study indicated that average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit pericarp thickness showed high heritability, genetic advance, positive correlation and high positive direct effects. Hence, these traits can be used as indirect selection criteria for hot pepper yield improvement program. Key words: GCV, genetic advance, heritability, PCV, pod yield, variability.

Hot pepper is the dominant vegetable crop grown in different parts of Ethiopia with long history of cultivation and considerable genetic diversity for most important morphological traits. However, shortage of varieties, the prevalence of fungal and bacterial as well as viral diseases, information is lacking on genetic diversity and genetic information to design genetic resource conservation to improve yield and yield components of hot pepper. The study was undertaken to assess the morphological diversity of 64 hot pepper genotypes at Axum Agricultural Research Centre in Mereb Leke District during the year 2017/2018, using 8×8 simple lattice design. Analysis of variance revealed that there were a significant (P

Hot pepper production in most areas of Ethiopia especially in Tigray region is constrained by shortage of varieties, the prevalence of fungal and bacterial as well as viral diseases. Sixty-four hot pepper genotypes were evaluated to obtain the extent of genetic variability, association among characters. The experiment was laid out using 8x8 simple lattice design at Axum Agricultural Research center in 2017/18. Data were collected for 19 agronomic characters and analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p