Yield performance and stability of new promising chilli genotypes in different agro-ecological environments in Malaysia

Five promising new chilli genotypes (three lines from the Sunseed MARDI selection, 'F4-10', 'F4-11', and 'F4-12', and two lines from hybridization, 'Ch4' and 'Ch5') together with control cultivars ('Kulai', 'MC 11', and 'MC 12') were tested at three different research stations of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). The stations are located at Serdang (zone 4: mineral soil), Jalan Kebun (zone 4: peat soil) and Bukit Tangga (zone 1: mineral soil). Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant genetic variability among the genotypes studied. Significant differences were found for all characters, time to flowering (50%), fruit weight, fruit number per plant and yield per plot, among genotypes and among environments as well as their interaction. In general, Jalan Kebun was the most suitable location for chilli production, followed by Bukit Tangga. However, plants flowered later at these locations (21-25 days). Among the five promising genotypes, 'Ch5' exhibited better performance, with heaviest mean yield per plot (13317 kg) and fruit weight (15.86 g). As there was a significant GxE interaction, analysis of stability was carried out based on the non-parametric ranking method proposed by Huhn (1979). The results indicated that the best performer 'Ch5' was also the most stable, with Si-3=0.09. Commercial controls 'Kulai' and 'MC 12' showed instability in yield (Si-3=2.80 and 2.38, respectively). 'Ch5' appears to have good prospects to replace existing commercial cultivars of chilli in Malaysia.