GENETIC DIVERSITY AT SOMBORKA POPULATIONS (CAPSİCUM ANNUUM L.) FOR SOME QUANTİTATİVE PARAMETERS

Genetic diversity was assessed for quantitative traits in a collection of Somborka populations (Capsicum annuum L.) from different locality of Kosovo include; Krusha, Shtime, Lipjan, Viti and Mitrovica. A total of 5 genotypes in 5 localities were studied under different field conditions over summer 2011. All accessions were characterized for different agro-morphological traits from seedling emergence to crop maturity. The experimental design was a split plot with randomized complete block with three replications. The quantitative and agronomic traits assessed showed variation. The total genetic variation for Plant height (PH) was +11.72 or 27.94%. On maximum leaf area (LA) per plant was determined in locality Shtime on value 2308.38 cm2 per plant, while the lowest value for LA was 1136.82 cm2 per plant (locality; Mitrovica). The total genetic variation was +1171.56 cm2 or 64.92%. Also, the genetic variation for yield per plant was significantly higher at level of probability (LSDp=0.01). The average values at all accession for yield per plant was 466.34 g per plant. The differences between them were +425.96 or 91.34%. The high genetic diversity found in the collection showed its great potential for improving agronomic traits in somborka populations.