Heterosis and heterobeltiosis studies in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

Twenty-five sweet pepper inbred lines were used to study the heterotic response of economic traits at Hwacheon during 2006/07–2007/08. Out of 25 inbred lines, 12 inbred lines (KNU1006, KNU1015, KNU1017, KNU2006, CO1234, 5AVS1, 5AVS2, 5AVS7, 5SAVS8, SP12, SP27 and SP46) were used as female parents whereas 13 inbred lines (SP9, SP14, SP22, SP25, SP30, SP32, SP34, SP36, SP38, SP43, SP45, SP48 and SP51) were used as male parents and single crosses were made to produce F₁ hybrid in 2006/07. Twenty-three F₁ hybrids, their parents and three standard varieties (Special, Fiesta and President) were evaluated based on their fruit and fruit quality traits at plastic house in 2007. Variation of fruit yield and fruit characters was observed among the F₁ hybrids, their parents and standard varieties. Hybrids of 5AVS7 × SP32, SP12 × SP38, 5AVS7 × SP45, CO1234 × SP32, KNU1015 × SP32, 5AVS7 × SP34, 5AVS8 × SP51 and SP27 × SP25 expressed the highest positive heterosis on fruit number and yield per plant whereas highest positive heterobeltiosis was exhibited by the cross 5AVS7 × SP32 (87.2%) and SP12 × SP38 (119.3%). Hybrid of 5AVS7 × SP32 exhibited the highest heterosis for fruit number (104.0%) and yield (141.2%) per plant. Hybrids of 5AVS7 × SP45, 5AVS7 × SP32, and 5AVS8 × SP48 had highest positive standard heterosis on fruit yield per plant over Special, Fiesta and President. Highest positive standard heterosis had manifested on fruit yield per plant using SP32, SP45, and SP48 inbred lines, which can be used as the male parents with their counterpart female for commercial hybrid production.