Morphological evaluation and yield performance of fifty chilli (Capsicum frutescens L.) genotypes in Bangladesh

Higher yield and superior fruit quality are key targets for genetic improvement and commercial cultivation of chilli. To identify promising lines, 50 chilli (Capsicum frutescens L.) genotypes were evaluated for their morphological and yield performance. The study was conducted at the Horticulture Farm and Department of Horticulture at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, from October 2021 to September 2022. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications was employed for the field layout. The genotypes, sourced from various regions of Bangladesh and abroad, exhibited significant variability in growth and yield traits. Genotypes G10, G24 and G49 exhibited the highest total yield, while G34, G28 and G15 showed superior fruit traits in terms of weight, length and width. Genotype G48, with the longest peduncles, offered greater harvest efficiency. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that 5 components explained 96.73 % of the total variation, primarily influenced by plant height, fruit diameter and fruit number. Non-hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 4 distinct clusters, confirming significant genetic divergence. These findings suggest that G10, G24 and G49 are ideal for high-yield cultivation, whereas G34, G28 and G15 are promising for fruit improvement and G48 for enhancing harvest efficiency in future breeding programs.