Evaluation of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and its wild relatives for yield and drought tolerance

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), one of the most important vegetable cum spice crops belongs to the family Solanaceae. Drought is an important abiotic stress that causes reduction in plant growth and yield and also leads to decline in several physiological and biochemical characters. The plants imposed with 100% FC recorded higher average plant height of 86.97 cm than 50% field capacity plants (64.07cm). The results revealed that genotypes AVPP9813 recorded 81.20 days for first flowering followed by EC-320525 (81.60 days). For number of fruits per plant at 100% FC the more number of fruits per plant of 110.40 was noticed in IC-119233 and the lowest was recorded in VI047102 (14.60). The highest green fruit yield per plant of 404.06 g was exhibited by IC-119233 while the least value of 48.66 g was noted in the genotype VI059328 at control. The highest relative water content was exhibited by Arka Lohit (72.24 per cent) followed by EC-362917 (72.19 per cent) while IC-119233 reported the lowest value of 62.09 per cent in 100% FC. However, 50% FC treatment, EC-362917 recorded highest relative water content of 71.48 per cent. For chlorophyll stability index IC-119231 recorded the highest value (71.04 per cent) and the lowest was registered by IC-119234 (55.46 per cent).