Combining ability of sweet pepper lines in the unheated film greenhouses in the southern Russia

Relevance. The production of greenhouse vegetables and expansion of their range is one of the tasks provided for by the Doctrine of Food Security of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the high efficiency of growing sweet peppers in spring film greenhouses is associated with the use of a modern assortment of F 1 hybrids, which have a number of advantages over varieties. Based on this, in modern breeding of sweet peppers for greenhouse conditions, the key is the development of F 1 hybrid models that will meet specific growing conditions and also meet the requirements of producers and consumers. Pepper quality improvement is achieved through selection and creation of new breeding lines with high potential. At the same time, it is important not only to assess the economic value of the traits of these lines, but also to take into account their ability to exhibit a high heterotic effect in various combinations of crosses — that is, their combinational ability. This approach makes it possible to create hybrids with optimal yield characteristics, fruit quality and adaptation to greenhouse conditions, which helps to increase production efficiency and satisfy the market. Purpose of the research is to evaluate the total combining ability (TCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) and mutual effects of sweet pepper hybrids according to economically valuable traits. Materials and Methods. The studies were conducted in 2023–2024 at the experimental site of FSBSI “Federal Scientific Rice Centre” in Krasnodar region. The objects of the study were 40 F 1 hybrid combinations obtained by crossing 5 lines with NCMS and 8 fertility restorers lines of sweet pepper according to the topcross scheme. The total combining ability (TCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), as well as economically valuable traits, were assessed. The TCA and SCA parameters were determined using the Savchenko method. Results. Based on the results of studying F1 hybrids with a positive assessment of the TCA and SCA variance, the following lines were identified: by early yield – 3; total – 6; by average fruit weight – 2; pericarp thickness – 5; number of fruits per plant – 4. The most valuable lines in developing hybrids for spring film greenhouses were: msKch123, No. 21 and No. 113, which combined high effects of OCA for four traits. An analysis of hybrid combinations based on economically valuable characteristics revealed three combinations more consistent with the hybrid model for spring film greenhouses: msB1F x No. 21 (cone-shaped fruit) with an early yield of 3.3 kg/m 2 and a total of 6.4 kg/m 2 ; msB81 x No. 21 (cone-shaped fruit) with a high total yield of 7.1 kg/m 2 m2; and mcKch23 x No. 16 (prismatic fruit shape) with a total yield of 7.6 kg/m 2 .