Genetic divergence in chilli genotypes

A study of genetic diversity in 12 chilli genotypes for various characters revealed substantial differences for all the traits. Based on D2 values, the genotypes were clustered into five constellations. Cluster I, II and III contained three genotypes each followed by cluster-IV (two) and cluster V (one). The intra and inter cluster distances indicated that the statistical distance between clusters III and IV was the highest and this was followed by the distance between clusters IV and V. Cluster I had the highest mean value for branches/plant. Cluster II had the maximum mean values for plant girth and plant height. Cluster III had the highest mean values for average fruit weight, fruit girth, plant spread (e-w), plant spread(n-s) and fruit yield/plant. Cluster IV had the highest mean value for fruit length, fruits/plant, days to 50% flowering and crop duration. Cluster V had the lowest mean values for days to 50% flowering and crop duration. Relative contribution of fruit yield per plant to genetic divergence of genotypes in chilli was the maximum, followed by days to 50% flowering and plant height.