International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION IN CHILLI GERMPLASM

T. Afrin1, M. S. Rahman2, R. Ara3, and S. N. Mojumder3

1 ,2
Faculty,Centre of Agricultural Studies
International University of Business Agriculture and Technology
Dhaka, Bangladesh
3
Senior Scientific Officer, Regional Spices Research Centre
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Corresponding Author
Dr. RummanAra, Senior Scientific Officer
Regional Spices Research Centre
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh
firstnamerummanara@yahoo.com
Cell: 088 01819783981

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION IN CHILLI GERMPLASM

Abstract
The experiment was conducted at the Regional Spices Research Center, BARI, Gazipur,
Bangladesh during the period from November 2015 to July 2016 to study the variability and
character association of different chilligermplasm. Nineteen chilligermplasms were considered as
treatment in anon replicated experiment. Data on different morphological, phenological and yield
related characters were recordedand lots of variations were observed in respect of different
characters. Fresh yield of green chilliand dry yield were ranged from 0.36 t/ha to 72.64 t/ha and
0.26 to 20.13 t/ha, respectively. The highest CV % (112.81) was observed in fresh yield of green
chilli was followed by fruit weight of green chilli(107.94), dry yield (100.17), number of fruit
per plant (98.20%). The germplasm showed strong correlation in noticeable characters and they
grouped into four clusters. Distinct wide variation was found in cluster I, II, and IV .
Key words: Chilli, cluster, correlation,germplasm, variability.

INTRODUCTION
Chilli is one of the most important spice crops in the world. It belongs to the genus Capsicum
under the family Solanaceae. It is a herb plant. It is one of the major spices crop used in every
kitchen in our country and eaten daily by one third of the worlds population and widely used
throughout the tropical countries.
The peoples of Bangladesh are usually used chillies in all curry preparation like meat, fish,
vegetables, pulses etc. for its typical color, taste and flavor. It is used in theavailable form of
green, dried and powdered. Chilli is grown as cash crop in Bangladesh. Its commercial
production is largely concentrated in the district of Comilla, Bogra, Rangpur, Faridpur, Jessore,
Chittagong, Noakhali and Mymensingh(Ahmed, 1976). The area and production of chilli are
increasing day by day. The acreage, production and yield of chilliare 190000ha, 267000 t and
1.41 t/ha respectively (DAE, 2015), which is very low compared to other country. But
Bangladesh has tremendous potential for marketing of chili at both home and abroad throughout
the year. So far, this item is exported to the ethnic market only, although it has also high demand
in the mainstream export markets of Europe and elsewhere. A number of cultivar grown in
Bangladesh differing in habit, size, shape, color, pungency and yield which indicating their wide
range of variability (Farhadet al., 2010). The characteristics of the plant variable (Laborde and
Pozo, 1982) and the species are extremely variable, particularly in characters of the fruits

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

(Heiserand Pickersgills 1969). Bindu, Balujhuri, Sada, Baromashi, Jhumka, Boot, Dhannaetc.
are the common names of local chilli varieties which represent the presence of enough
variability.Considering the above facts, the current research program was initiated to study the
variability and character association of nineteen different chilligermplasm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The field experiment was carried on at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI),
Joydebpur, Gazipur during the month from November 2015 to July 2016. The location of the site
is at thesoutheast corner of the field of Spices Research Centre of BARI. The soil of the
experimental field was sandy clay loam in texture having a pH around 6.0.Nineteen
chilligermplasmcollected by Regional Spices Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur were considered
as treatment in this experiment. Seedlings of different germplasm were transplanted on 2 nd week
of November 2015. The experiment was conducted in a non-replicated design. Plot size was
31.5 m2 maintaining 50 cm 50 cm row and plant spacing. Plot to plot distance was 50 cm. The
plots were fertilized with 10 t/ha Cow dung, 210 kg/ha Urea, 33 kg/ha TSP, 200 kg/ha MP and 5
kg/ha Borax (Mondalet al., 2011). The crop was irrigated when needed depending on the
moisture status of the soil and requirement of plants. Weeding was done to keep the plots free
from weeds, easy aeration and for conserving soil moisture. When all plants were established in
the plot, the soil around the base of each plant was pulverized. Sevin 75 WP @ 0.1 g/pit,
Sumithion 60 EC @ 2.5 ml/L and Vertimac 18 EC @ 1.2 ml/L were sprayed for controlling
insect and mite, respectively. First harvest of chilli was done on 19 January 2016 and continued
up to 12 July 2016. Harvesting was done by hand at both green and ripe stages. The different
morphological attributes of nineteen chilligermplasmviz., plant growth habit, branching habit,
leaf shape, flower position, fruit surface, fruit shape, fruit shape at blossom end, fruit color at
immature stage; some phenologicalcharacters:days to 1st flower bud initiation, days to 50%
flowering, days to 50% fruiting;yield related characters: plant height (cm), number of fruits per
plant, fruit length (cm), fruit breadth (cm), pedicel length (cm), fruit weight of green chilli per
plant (g), single fruit weight (g), fresh yield of green chilli (ton/ha), dry yield (ton/ha), number of
seeds per fruit and germination percentage were recorded. All data were calculated using MS-
Excel and analyzed through software SPSS Version16 program to find out the variation among
the differentgermplasm. Cluster analysis was performed for classification of genotypes into a
number of groups.

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Morphological character

Nineteen chilligermplasm under investigation showed considerable variations for most of the
morphological characters (Table 1). Eleven germplasm had shown erect growth habit, remaining
eight had intermediate growth habit. Majority of the genotypes had shown intermediate
branching habit, only one had shown dense and one had shown sparse branching habit.
Table 1: Morphological variabilities in chilligermplasm
Germplasm Growth habit Branching Leaf shape Flower position Fruit shape Fruit surface Fruit Fruit color at
habit blossom immature
end shape stage
CO635 Intermediate Intermediate Lanceolate Intermediate Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO590 Intermediate Dense Ovate Intermediate Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO517-1 Intermediate Sparse Lanceolate Intermediate Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO517 Erect Intermediate Ovate Erect Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO628 Intermediate Intermediate Lanceolate Intermediate Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO636 Intermediate Intermediate Lanceolate Erect Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO614 Intermediate Intermediate Lanceolate Intermediate Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
CO611-1 Erect Intermediate Lanceolate Intermediate Elongate Semi wrinkled Pointed Green with
blakish blush
AH27 Erect Intermediate Ovate Intermediate Elongate Semi wrinkled Pointed Green
CO611-2 Erect Intermediate Lanceolate Erect Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
IAH-162 Intermediate Intermediate Ovate Pendant Elongate Semi wrinkled Pointed Green
IAH-163 Erect Intermediate Ovate Intermediate Elongate Semi wrinkled Pointed Green
RT-33 Erect Intermediate Ovate Intermediate Elongate Semi wrinkled Pointed Green
RT-34 Intermediate Sparse Lanceolate Intermediate Elongate Smooth Pointed Green
RT-41 Erect Intermediate Ovate Pendant Elongate Semi wrinkled Pointed Green
RBY001 Erect Intermediate Deltoid Intermediate Triangular Smooth Blunt Green
RCY002 Erect Intermediate Deltoid Erect Triangular Smooth Light blunt Green
RCY003 Erect Intermediate Deltoid Erect Triangular Smooth Light blunt Green
RCY004 Erect Intermediate Deltoid Erect Triangular Smooth Blunt Purple

Leaf shape of eight genotypes had lanceolate shape, seven had ovate shape and four had deltoid
shape. Intermediate flower position was found in eleven genotypes, six showed erect position
and only two showed pendant flower position. Thirteen germplasmpossessed of smooth fruit
surface and resthad semi-wrinkled surface. Elongate fruit shape was recorded in most of the
germplasm(15) with four triangular shaped fruit. Again, fifteengermplasmhad pointed fruit shape
at blossom end except two blunt and two light blunt shapes. Maximum germplasm showed green

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

fruit color at immature stage (17); only one showed green with blackish blush color and
remaining one showed purple color (Table 1).

Phenological character
Minimum days were required to 1st flower bud initiation was found in RT-34 (9) and maximum
days were found in RCY002 (125)inTable 2. Only 26 days were required for 50% flowering in
RT-34 (26) whereas maximum was recorded in RCY002 (140). Days to 50% fruiting was found
minimum in RT-34 (42) and maximum in RCY002 (161) which indicated that RT-34 and
RCY002 might be considered as early and late germplasm, respectively. Similarly, C0517-1
might be considered as second early germplasm as it required only 26,41 and 53 days for 1 st
flower bud initiation, 50% flowering and fruiting, respectively.
Table 2: Phenological characters of nineteendifferent chilligermplasm
Chilli lines Days to 1st flower Days to 50% Days to 50%
bud initiation flowering fruiting

CO635 36 53 67
CO590 32 54 70
CO517-1 26 41 53
CO517 41 53 77
CO636 34 54 85
CO614 29 41 55
CO611-1 36 53 66
AH-27 52 64 88
CO611-2 65 86 99
CO628 34 49 67
IAH-163 41 57 96
IAH-162 40 57 102
RT-41 52 64 75
RT-33 57 67 96
RT-34 9 26 42
RBY001 54 66 95
RCY002 55 70 92
RCY003 53 70 109
RCY004 125 140 161
Mean 45.84 61.32 83.95

Yield related characters

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

Range, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of nineteen chilligermplasm are
presented in Table 3. Data on different yield related characters of nineteen chilligermplasm are
presented in Table 4.
The highest CV% was observed in fresh yield of green chilli(ton/ ha) (112.81) was followed by
fruit weight of green chilli per plant (g) (107.94), dry yield (ton / ha) (100.17%)and number of
fruit per plant (98.20). The taller plants were found in CO517 (104.8 cm) and dwarf plants were
found in CO614 (57.2 cm). Average plant height was 80.19 cm; standard deviation was 17.96
and CV% was 14.40. Number of fruits per plant ranged from 08 to 997 with an average of
285.52, standard deviation 280.39 and CV% was 98.20. Table 4 revealed that the highest number
of fruit per plant was observed in CO590 (997) was followed by CO628 (768), RT-41 (590),
RCY002 (505), CO636 (478)and CO517 (415) while the lowest in AH-27 (08). Fruit weight
ofgreen chilli per plant(g)was ranged from 09 g to 1816 g with the average fruit weight 407.68 g
and CV% was 107.94. The highest fruit weight of green chilliper plant (g) was found in
garmplasm CO590 (1816 g) followed by CO628 (1185 g), CO636 (732 g), CO517 (682 g), RT-
41 (536 g), RT-33 (534 g) and RCY002 (506 g) shown in Table 4. The lowest fruit weight of
green chilli per plant was found in AH-27 (9 g).
Table 3: Range, mean, standard deviation and CV% of nineteen chilligermplasm
Characteristics Range Mean Standard CV%
Minimum Maximum Deviation
Plant height (cm) 57 104.8 80.19 14.40 17.96
Number of fruit/plant 8 997 285.52 280.39 98.20
Fruit wt of green chilli/plant (g) 9 1816 407.68 440.07 107.94
Single fruit weight (g) 1.33 7.05 2.38 1.25 52.52
Fruit length (cm) 2.76 10.9 5.07 2.0 39.44
Fruit breadth (cm) 0.34 3.06 0.99 0.56 56.57
Pedicle length (cm) 2.02 4.02 3.0 0.57 19
Number of seed/fruit 37.4 102.4 64.71 13.94 21.54
1000 seed wt(g) 5.28 7.92 6.39 0.68 10.64
Germination % 0 100 57.37 36.68 63.93
Fresh yield of green chilli (t/ha) 0.36 72.64 16.31 18.40 112.81
Dry yield (t/ha) 0.26 20.13 5.69 5.70 100.17
Days to 1st flower bud initiation 9 125 45.84 23.35 50.94
Days to 50% flowering 26 140 61.31 23.09 37.66
Days to 50% fruiting 42 161 83.94 26.23 31.24

The single fruit weight was recorded highest in CO635 (7.05 g) and lowest in RCY003 (1.33 g)
with an average of 2.38 g. CO635 possessed of longest fruit (10.9 cm) and that of the shortest
RCY004 (2.76 cm). Fruit breadth was ranged from 0.34 cm to 3.06 cm with an average of 0.99

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

cm, the maximum fruit breadth was found in RBY001 (3.06 cm) and lowest was in CO611-1
(0.34 cm).
Table 4: Yield related characters ofnineteendifferent chilligermplasm
Plant height (cm)

Single fruit wt (g)

Fruit length (cm)

1000seed wt(g)
No of fruit/plant

No of seed/fruit

Germination %

Dry yield (t/ha)

Fruit wt (green

Pedicle length
chilli)/plant (g)

Fruit breadth

(green chilli)
Fresh yield
Chilli lines

(t/ha)
(cm)

(cm)
CO635 65 13 85 7.05 10.9 0.72 4.02 70.6 6.96 80 3.4 9.71
CO590 85 997 1816 3.08 5.14 1.18 4.0 68.8 7.23 30 72.64 9.09
CO517-1 70.5 338 466 2.89 4.4 1.08 2.64 71.2 5.98 75 18.64 13.37
CO517 104.8 415 682 2.67 4.38 0.98 3.20 54.8 7.92 90 27.28 17.34
CO636 74.4 478 732 2.42 8.04 0.82 3.32 67.8 5.28 40 29.28 3.15
CO614 57 63 125 2.28 3.52 1.04 2.02 102.4 6.47 85 5.0 2.86
CO611-1 72.4 131 101 1.49 5.98 0.34 2.98 71.8 6.14 15 4.04 3.22
AH-27 79 08 09 2.30 5.88 1.06 3.90 57 7.70 0 0.36 0.26
CO611-2 100.8 139 195 1.35 3.42 0.64 3.22 57 6.05 100 7.80 4.12
CO628 82.2 768 1185 2.48 6.76 0.92 2.86 67.6 6.04 80 47.40 20.13
IAH-163 79 95 113 1.8 5.04 0.84 2.52 77.2 5.60 90 4.52 3.02
IAH-162 57.6 113 141 1.76 6.0 0.72 3.42 76.2 6.29 5 5.64 3.94
RT-41 82.6 590 536 1.98 5.70 1.40 2.54 63.6 6.45 45 21.44 2.39
RT-33 84.2 372 534 2.59 4.88 0.62 2.48 61.4 6.64 0 21.36 2.33
RT-34 60.4 94 109 1.61 4.36 0.54 2.76 37.4 6.08 85 4.36 1.35
RBY001 100.5 221 314 2.19 3.2 3.06 2.18 71.6 6.62 10 12.56 4012
RCY002 80.8 505 506 1.40 3.2 0.88 3.06 55 5.56 100 20.24 6.13
RCY003 96 51 37 1.33 2.86 0.96 2.84 52 6.25 80 1.48 0.71
RCY004 91.5 34 60 2.73 2.76 1.18 3.20 46 6.11 80 2.40 0.97
The maximum pedicle length was found in CO635 (4.02 cm) and minimum was in CO614 (2.02
cm). The number of seeds per fruit was ranged from 37.4 to 102.4. The maximum seeds per fruit
was found in CO614 (103) and minimum was in RT-34 (38) with an average of 64.71 seeds/fruit.
Range of 1000 seed weight was varied from 5.28 g to 7.92 g with CV% of 10.64. Fresh yield of
green chilli was ranged from 0.36 t/ha to 72.64 t/ha. The highest fresh yield of green chilli was
found in CO590 (72.64 t/ha) which was followed by CO628 (47.4 t/ha), CO636 (29.28 t/ha),
CO517 (27.28 t/ha), RT-41 (21.44 t/ha) shown in Table 4. Dry chilli yield was ranged from 0.26
t/ha to 20.13 t/ha. The highest dry yield was found in CO628 (20.13 t/ha) was followed by
CO517 (17.34 t/ha), CO517-1 (13.37 t/ha) and the minimum yield was found in AH-27 (0.26

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

t/ha). The maximum germination percentage was found in CO611-2 (100%) which is similar to
RCY002 and minimum was in AH-27 (0%) and RT-33 (0%). Pods were damaged as well as
seeds were not properly dried due to heavy rainfall which caused poor or no germination.
Correlation among different parameters of nineteen chilligermplasm is presented in Table 5.

Table 5: Correlation among different parameters of nineteenchilligermplasm

Parameters DFl(50 DFr(5
NoFrut FrutWt SFWt FrL FrB PedL SPFru TSW GPerc FYld DYld DFFl %) 0%)
**
PlHt .207 .202 -.199 1.000 .207 .202 -.199 -.433 .411 -.016 -.414 .244 .202 .145
** ** ** **
NoFrut .960 -.017 .207 1.000 .960 -.017 .090 .114 .107 .021 .035 .960 .534*
FrutWt .093 .202 .960** 1.000** .093 .126 .103 .219 .062 .143 1.000** .572*
SFWt -.199 -.017 .093 1.000** .695** .000 .449 .163 .356 .093 .345
FrL .207 .202 -.199 -.433 .411 -.016 -.414 .244 .202 .145
FrB .960** -.017 .090 .114 .107 .021 .035 .960** .534*
PedL .093 .126 .103 .219 .062 .143 1.000** .572*
SPFru .695** .000 .449 .163 .356 .093 .345
*
TSW -.293 .506 .223 .091 .126 .252
GPerc -.315 .134 .186 .103 -.002
FYld -.278 .368 .219 .134
DYld -.048 .062 .106
DFbl .143 .219
DFl(50%) .572*
PHt=Plant height, NoFrut= No of fruit/plant,FrutWt=Fruit wt/plant, SFWt=Single fruit wt, FrL=Fruit length,FrB=Fruit breadth,
PedL=Pedicle length, SPFru=No of seed/fruit, TSW= 1000seed wt,GPerc=Germination %,FYld= Fresh yield,DYld= Dry yield,
DFbl= 1st flower bud initiation,DFl(50%)=50% flowering, DFr(50%)=50% fruiting

There was moderate to significant positive correlations observed in different parameters.

Negative correlation was found in some cases. Positive correlation indicated positive numeric
increase or decrease with the increase or decrease of its co-parameters. Higher correlation value
(>0.5) indicated strong correlation and lower values (<0.5) indicated weaker correlation among
the parameters. Positive and negative values indicate positive and negative changes with the
change of its co-partner respectively. Correlation value means (0.0) indicated very poor or no
relation among the parameters, significantly strong positive correlation was observed among
many characteristics. Plant height showed strong positive correlation with fruit length
(r=1.00**).No of fruit/plant showed strong positive correlation with fruit wt/plant (0.960**),

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

fruit breadth (r=1.00**), 50% flowering (r=0.960**) and 50% fruiting (r=0.534*). Fruit wt/plant
showed strong positive correlation with fruit breadth (0.960**), pedicle length (r=1.00**), 50%
flowering (r=1.00**), and 50% fruiting (r=0.572*). Single fruit wtshowed strong positive
correlation with no of seed/fruit (r=1.00**), 1000 seed wt (0.695**). Fruit length showed
negative to weaker correlation with all characteristics. Fruit breadth showed strong positive
correlation with pedicle length (r=0.960**), 50% flowering (r=0.960**),50% fruiting (r=0.534*).
Pedicle length showed strong positive correlation with 50% flowering (r=1.00**),50% fruiting
(r=0.572*). No of seed/fruit showed strong positive correlation with 1000 seed wt (r=0.695**).
1000 seed wtshowed strong positive correlation with fresh yield (r=0.5.6*). Germination %
showed negative to weaker correlation with all characteristics. Fresh yield, dry yield and 1 st
flower bud initiation also showed negative to weaker correlation with all characteristics. 50%
flowering showed strong positive correlation with50% fruiting(r=0.572*).
The studied chilligermplasm were grouped into four distinct clusters (Figure 1and Table6).
C A S E 0 5 10 15 20 25
Label Num +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

CO611-1 9
RCY002 18
RCY003 19
RCY004 17
AH-27 8
RT-34 15
CO611-2 7
IAH-163 11
IAH-162 12
CO636 5
CO517 3
RT-41 13
RT-33 14
CO517-1 4 -
CO628 10
RBY001 16 -
CO614 6
CO590 2
CO635 1

Figure 1: Dendrogram showing a partitioning of the germplasm into four groups.

Figure 1 showed the Hierarchical cluster analysis using different characters of 19

chilligermplasm. The dendogram single linkage showed four clusters of germplasm. The

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 International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (2278-7844) / # 1/ Volume 6 issue 9

members of different cluster were given in Table 4.Cluster III consisted of a maximum of 16
genotypes and rest of all clusters(I,II andVI )consistedof 1(one) genotype.

Table 6: Cluster membership of nineteen chilligermplasm

Cluster I CO635
Cluster II CO590
Cluster III CO517, CO517-1, CO636, CO611-1, AH-27, CO611-2, CO628, IAH-163, IAH-162,
RT-41, RT-33, RT-34, RBY001, RCY002, RCY003, RCY004
Cluster IV CO614

The germplasm differed from one cluster to another due to the different morphological features
of the plant. Some parameters were similar with nearby population in a cluster because all other
characteristics were similar within the group members. The cluster III was different from other
clusters. The existence of different clusters in dendrogram represented the inter cluster similarity
or dissimilarity.

Conclusion
The studied chilligermplasm possessed variations regarding morphological, phenological and
yield related character. The highest fresh yield of green chilli was found in CO590 (72.64 t/ha)
and the highest dry yield was found in CO628 (20.13 t/ha). The germplasm showed strong
correlation in noticeable characters and they grouped into four clusters. Among them, cluster III
consists of 16 germplasm which are genetically close. Therefore, the germplasm of cluster I, II,
and IV may be used as breeding material for developing better heterosis.

References
Ahmed, K. U. 1976. Phulphal o Shak-shabjee(In Bang.). 3rdedition. Alhaj Kamal Uddin Ahmed,
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Farhad, M., Hasanuzzaman, M., Biswas, B. K., Ariifuzzaman, M. & Islam, M. M. 2010.
Genetic divergence in chilli (Capsicum annuumL.).Bangladesh Research Publication
Journals, 3(3):1045-1051
Heiser, C. B. and B. Pickesrgill, 1969.Names for the cultivated capsicum species (Solanaceae),
texon. 18: 277-83.
Laborde, J. A. and O. Pozo, 1982. Present and past of the Chilli pepper in Mexico City (in
Spainish).
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Rahman.2011. Krishi projucti Hatboi (5th edition). BARI,Gazipur-1701.

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