Abstract:

To screen out pepper varieties suitable for spring open cultivation in Changde, we analyzed 13 characters by correlation analysis, cluster analysis and mass evaluation for 26 pepper varieties. The single fruit weight was significantly correlated with the transverse diameter of commodity fruit and the shape of fruit-shoulder. The single fruit weight was significantly negatively correlated with the leaf shape, fruit shape and maturity. The yield per plant was significantly correlated with the single fruit weight, and significantly positively correlated with the transverse diameter of commodity fruit and the shape of fruit-shoulder, but was significantly negatively correlated with the leaf shape, fruit shape and maturity. The maturity was significantly correlated with the leaf shape, and significantly positively correlated with the fruit shape, but was significantly negatively correlated with the transverse diameter of commodity fruit, the single fruit weight and the shape of fruit-shoulder. The 26 varieties were divided into four categories based on cluster analysis. The fruit shape and yield were the most important factors affecting the clustering results. The willingness of farmers to choose a variety was correlated with plant height, plant width, shape of fruit-shoulder, and virus resistant. And the correlation coefficient was 0.538, 0.542, -0.570, -0.518, respectively. It was correlated with transverse diameter of fruit, leaf shape and fruit shape. ‘Xiangyan-qingcui’, ‘Fengkang 21’, ‘Gengxin 8’, ‘Xingshu 201’ were suitable for cultivation in Changde.

Key words: pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), correlation, cluster analysis, evaluation