Evaluation of genetic variations in growth and yield components of aromatic pepper lines in a derived savanna ecology of Nigeria

Abstract

Ten genotypes of Nigeria aromatic pepper were grown in three planting seasons, 2002, 2003 and 2004 in the derived savanna ecological belt of Nigeria. A combined analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the traits studied. Genotype x year interactions were very highly significant for all the traits studied. High values of genotypic
and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for fruit length, single fruit weight and number of fruits per plant. High broad sense heritability estimates were observed for plant height, number of nodes per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, single fruit weight and number of fruits per plant while high genetic advance as a percentage of the
mean was observed in respect of fruit length and single fruit weight. Fresh fruit weight varied from 0.98-7.38, 3.13 – 10.14 and 3.26 – 11.10 t,/ ha in 2002, 2003 and 2004 planting seasons, respectively. Fresh fruit weight showed highly significant positive correlations with number of branches per plant, number of nodes per plant and number of
fruits per plant.

Keywords: Genotypes, Aromatic pepper, Capsicum annum, Nigeria.

Agro-Science Vol. 5 (1) 2006: pp. 1-7