Non-parametric indexes in selecting hybrids of chili pepper
ABSTRACT On Solanaceae, the use of hybrids in seed market has been consolidated in recent decades, especially for sweet pepper and tomato crops. However, other crops such as chili peppers (Capsicum spp.) are still neglected by breeding programs which aim to obtain hybrids. The objectives of this work were to evaluate experimental chili pepper hybrids dedo-de-moça (C. baccatum var. pendulum) in relation to production and quality of fruits in two growing seasons and to compare non-parametric selection indexes based on these aspects. Eight chili pepper genotypes were evaluated, being three experimental hybrids (HP03, HP04 and HP08), three lineages (PIM01, PIM02 and PIM03) and two commercial cultivars as controls (‘BRS Mari’ and ‘Ibirajá’), under field conditions in two growing seasons (autumn/winter and spring/summer) in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The number of days to flowering, number of fruits per plant, average fruit mass, fruit length, fruit diameter, yield, fruit dry mass, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and soluble solids content were evaluated. A highly significant difference among genotypes for all evaluated parameters was obtained. Significant interaction was observed for genotypes x growing seasons only for fruit length, fruit dry mass and ascorbic acid content, considering the last two ones of a complex nature. Chili pepper hybrids tested had a constant performance in the two growing seasons based on agronomic and physicochemical characteristics. By the selection indexes used, the superiority of the hybrid HP03 in relation to the other evaluated genotypes was verified. In addition to the evaluated agronomic and physicochemical parameters, this hybrid stands out for having a differentiated and innovative shape of chili pepper, since no such hybrid has been found in the Brazilian market until then. Mulamba & Mock and Genotype-Ideotype selection indexes were concordant in the selection of the three best genotypes.
