Association of Pedicel Length and Diameter with Fruit Length and Diameter and Ease of Fruit Detachment in Pepper

Genetic correlations for pedicel length and diameter, fruit length and diameter, and fruit detachment force (FDF) were determined in three pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) families from crosses of `Serrano Chili' (low FDF) with three cultivars (`Anaheim Chili', `Keystone Resistant Giant', and `Red Cherry Small') characterized by high FDF and different fruit characteristics. Pedicel and fruit length means of F 1 generations were nearly intermediate, while pedicel and fruit diameter means were shifted toward `Serrano Chili'. Progeny distributions in F 2 generations were continuous and F 2 means slightly less than the F 1 means. Generation mean analyses indicated gene effects for pedicel and fruit length to be mostly additive. Gene effects for pedicel and fruit diameter were also mostly additive. Pedicel length was positively correlated genetically with fruit length, and pedicel diameter was positively correlated with fruit diameter. FDF means were positively correlated with pedicel and fruit length and diameter in most segregating generations. In BCP 2 (`Serrano Chili' × `Red Cherry Small'), FDF was negatively correlated with pedicel and fruit length. Pendant fruit in BCP 2 (`Serrano Chili' × `Red Cherry Small') were longer and narrower than upright fruit and FDF decreased with increased length of both pedicel and fruit.