Specific Combining Ability of Ornamental Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

Ornamental pepper single cross varieties are required because of their high yield and high quality. Production of single cross requires superior parental lines. This study was conducted to screen for parental lines of which could be used for the production of superior single cross. The 11 female parental lines (No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 53, 62, 67, 79, 80 and 81) were topcrossed to a tester (No. 77). All 11 single crosses and the parental lines were tested at Horticultural experimental field, Kasetsart University, Bangkhen Campus, Bangkok from August 2000 to February 2002, using a Completely Randomized Design with 4 replications. Six characteristics were evaluated. The results showed the significant differences in 6 characteristics. All hybrids showed the average percent of heterosis over mid parent and better parent for yield per plant. The hybrids No. 1 X 7, 3 X 77, 4 X 77, 14 X 77, 53 X 77, 62 X 77 and 67 X 77 had the highest heterosis of number of fruits per plant and fruit weight per plant. The selected female parental lines, based on their specific combining ability, were No. 1, 3, 4, 14, 53, 62 and 67. They may be used as the female parental lines with their counterpart male tester for commercial hybrid production. The relationships among the characteristics were observed and the canopy size was positively correlated with number of fruits per plant and fruit weight per plant. The fruit size was positively correlated with fruit weight per plant and negatively correlated with number of fruits per plant.