Vegetos

Abstract

Chilli or hot pepper is a self pollinated crop but a considerable amount of out crossing is observed in it due to insect activity. In order to know the self pollination behaviour of different chilli genotypes under different growing conditions, a study was undertaken in natural open field, naturally ventilated condition and controlled protected condition to find out whether the growing condition and size of floral reproductive organs affect the rate of pollination (self or cross) or fruit setting in chilli. Natural field growing condition gave maximum fruit set followed by protected condition with fans. Protected conditions however showed least fruit set. The genotypes with less or more stylar length (SL) than filament length (FL) of androecium (SL to FL ratio less than 1 and more than 1.5) showed less fruit setting when compared to genotypes where styles and filaments were almost of same height (SL to FL ratio of 1 to 1.5). This becomes important for chilli improvement program where selfing is to be undertaken and is a component in inbred & population development and varietal maintenance and improvement programs.