Assessment of genetic diversity in different Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes using morphological, biochemical and molecular characters

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) is an important vegetable and spice crop from Solanaceae family. Study on genetic diversity was conducted with twenty Chilli genotypes. Eleven quantitative characters viz., plant height, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, no. of seeds, test weight of seed, ascorbic acid, total protein content, capsaicin, total chlorophyll content and total carotenoid content were taken into consideration. Based on combined analysis of morphological and biochemical data, highest genetic dissimilarity (36%) was observed between genotypes 2011/CHIVAR-7 and KTPL-19. RAPD analysis produced total 143 loci, out of which 104 loci were polymorphic (72.22%). The average Polymorphism Information Content value for RAPD markers were 0.88, thus considered as highly useful. From the cluster analysis of RAPD data, three clusters were formed. Based on our results, we can say that molecular study was found to be more precise in nature and gave clear picture of genetic relationship among studied Chilli genotypes.