Evaluation of small size fruit peppers Capsicum annuum spp. microcarpum with cluster and factor analysis

Abstract

Abstract. 43 specimens of local small size fruit peppers (Capsicum annuum sub. microcarpum) were examined and characterized with reference to the indicators: shrub height, number of shrub branches, leaf length, leaf width, fruit length, fruit diameter, one pepper mass, 1000 seeds mass, number of fruit on one plant. The research was conducted in the experimental field of Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (IPGR), Sadovo, in the period of 2009 – 2011. On the base of the examined indicators, the specimens were evaluated complexly through a hierarchical cluster analysis. Genetically close specimens were grouped in 7 main clusters and presented with the help of a dendrogramm. In addition, a factor analysis was made to establish the indices with the highest influence of distribution of the specimens in the received clusters. The main 10 indicators from the research are reduced to 4 factors, which are responsible for 76.16% from the total dispersion of variables. The principal indicators that separate the examined specimens in clusters are: leaf length and width, fruit length and diameter, as well as mass of one pepper. This classification helps for a higher objectiveness of evaluation. It leads to a more complete characterization of small size fruit peppers for their more rational use in different selective programs.

Keywords

• small size fruit peppers
• cluster analysis
• dendrogramm
• factor analysis