Evaluation of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Germplasm of Diverse Origin for Various Horticultural Characters

A set of thirty three genotypes of hot pepper collected from Punjab, Rajasthan and AVRDC (Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre), Taiwan were evaluated for various horticultural characters. The material was sown in a complete Randomized Block Design with three replications during 2002–03. Analysis of variance indicated significant genotypic differences for all the characters which showed presence of wide variability in the material. Genotypes Punjab Lal, S-99-3, S-5, Punjab Guchhedar, S-12-1 and S-103 provided higher yield per plant (563.75 g, 555.57 g, 553.10 g, 540.23 g, 521.33 g, 516.13 g) respectively. Punjab Lal and S-12-1 were resistant to fruit rot and virus complex while Punjab Guchhedar, S-99-3 and S-103 were resistant to fruit rot and moderately resistant to virus complex. Genotypes S-2530, S-2, S-5, S-99-3 and S-30 were significantly superior to check varieties for colouring matter. Similarly, S-99-3 and S-5 were also identified for high capsaicin coupled with high yield and could be utilized for the genetic improvement of hot pepper for yield and quality characters.