Studies on Physio-chemical Properties of Maintainer, Restorer Lines and Hybrids of Chilies (Capsicum annuum L.)

Physio-chemical properties of hybrid chilies (Capsicum annuum L.), parental lines and commercial varieties were evaluated in three experiments and showed significant differences among them. Heterosis, and heterobeltiosis were studied in hybrids while, combining abilities were investigated in maintainers and restorers. Positive statistical differences in the general combining ability of the maintainer lines for vitamin C, capsaicin and Hue were observed and general combining ability indicated that, CA1286 and CA1303, were good maintainers for the improvement of capsaicin and vitamin C. The other maintainers;-, CA1441 and CA1442, are good for the improvement of L* and Chroma. The maintainer, CA1441, was better than CA1442 for capsaicin content,- while the maintainer, CA1442, was better than CA1441 for vitamin C. Positivity and statistically significant differences among the restorers were  observed  for vitamin C, capsaicin, Hue and Chroma  and  the lines;-, CA 1447, CA 1448, CA 1449, CA 1450 and CA 1451, were useful for the improvement of these  physio-chemical properties of chilies.