Munish Sharma and Akhilesh Sharma
Abstract
The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental Farms of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSKHPKV, Palampur and Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, CSKHPKV, Bajaura, Kullu to gather information on gene action following line × tester mating design involving 11 lines and three diverse testers. Lines, testers their 33 cross combinations, along with standard check CH-1, were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during summer-rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011. Data were recorded on fresh and dry fruit yield/plant along with component traits. Sufficient genetic variability was observed for all phenological, morphological, yield and yield contributing traits during both the years over the environments. The line × tester analysis revealed significant differences due to lines, testers and line × tester interaction for majority of the traits at both the locations and pooled over environments indicating appreciable diversity in the experimental material. The magnitude of non-additive gene action was predominant for majority of the traits with maximum contribution of lines in the expression of gene action. Breeding methods namely, single seed descent, reciprocal recurrent selection, bulk pedigree and diallel selective mating system can be employed to obtain transgressive segregants with high yield and desirable horticultural traits in chilli.