Genotypic response to heat stress tolerance in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during summer 2017. Eighteen genotypes of chilli were evaluated for heat stress tolerance in two different planting dates. Ten characters were analyzed and had shown significant differences for all the traits during both the planting dates. Among all the genotypes highest fruit yield were observed in genotypes viz., RHRC-211, RHRC-206 and RHRC-212-1. The lowest fruit yield observed in RHRC-210. Maximum plant height was observed in Phule Jyoti, while higher branches/plant found in RHRC-208. Minimam days to flower initiation and days to 50% flowering observed in RHRC-209. Highest fruit setting percentage, fruits/plant and yield /plant was recorded by RHRC-216, RHRC-211 and RHRC-212-1 due to high pollen viability and tolerant to high temperature stress condition. Thus, these genotypes can be further be exploited during summer season per se or by involving in breeding programme