Combining ability and generation mean analysis in Capsicum

Abstract

Based on the morphology and yield and yield attributing characters four diverse lines of Capsicum: IC-119367, IC-119797, EC-321437, EC-305591 and three testers: cv. RHRC-CE, Punjab Lal (all Capsicum annuum L.) and cv. Pusa Sadabahar (Capsicum frutescens L.) were chosen for line x tester analysis to obtain 12 F1 hybrids excluding reciprocals. The experimental layout (1996 2000) consisted of 12 hybrids and 7 parents in a randomized block design in three replications. Each plot consisted of three rows accommodating 40 plants in each row, with row to row and plant to plant spacings as 80 cm and 45 cm, respectively. F2 and F3 generations were also raised in the same design. Thirty plants from each of F1s, F2s, F3s and parents were randomly selected from each replication for recording data on fourteen quantitative characters. The general and specific combining ability were estimated as per Method-2, Model-1 [1]. The scaling tests [2] were applied to the data to assess (i) the additivity of gene effects and (ii) independence of heritable components from non-heritable ones. Five-parameter model [3] was used for the estimation of various genetic components, comprising of mean (m), additive gene effects (d), dominance gene effects (h) and the two non-allelic gene interactions: additive x additive (i) and dominance x dominance (I).