Combining Ability and Heterosis for Quality and Processing Traits in Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuumL.) Involving Male Sterile Lines

Abstract

Non-availability of genetic male sterility (GMS) in genetically diverse genotypes and the problem of rouging fertile plants inhybrid plot necessitated the development and testing of new F 1 hybrids of chili pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) using cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility (CGMS) system and identifying good combiner inbred lines for transferring male sterility system in to them. Twelve inbred lines including a CGMS and a GMS line were crossed in a half-diallel fashion following Griffing's method II and model 1 (fixed effect). All 78 genotypes were evaluated for eight quality traits for two consecutive years at Ludhiana, India. Pooled analysis revealed that variances for parent × year were non-significant for all traits except capsaicin in oleoresin and coloring matter in oleoresin, whereas variances attributable to hybrid × year and parent vs. hybrid × year were significant for all traits except dry matter content and oleoresin content. Both GCA × Y and SCA × Y interactions were significant for all traits except dry matter content. The GMS line was a good combiner for six traits and the CGMS line for only one trait. Better parent heterosis of high magnitude was detected for powder yield (275%) and oleoresin yield (309%). The hybrids having high powder yield coupled with high dry matter content and those having low pungency in oleoresin were identified. We recommend that male sterility system be transferred into 1 Downloaded by [University of Exeter] at 23:05 14 July 2015 2 P. Singh et al. a few good combiner lines for cost-effective hybrid seed production and for broadening the genetic base of male sterile lines.

Genetic Mechanisms for Hybrid Breeding in Vegetable Crops

“…Singh et al [ 259 ] developed a novel male sterility and fertility restoration system to facilitate hybrid seed production in crops where seeds are of high economic importance. This system, besides being biologically safe, also enables the production of pure hybrids.…”

“…Furthermore, the use of RNAi and TILLING approaches is advocated for vegetable improvement [ 304 ]. Implementations in which such systems have been exploited include the development of multiple-disease-resistant hybrids by Dhaliwal et al [ 245 ], the evaluation of CMS lines that are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 by Hu et al [ 34 ], and the development of a novel sterility–fertility restoration system by Singh et al [ 259 ].…”