Selection of pepper - Experimental data of pepper hybrids

The method of hybridization of sterile (ms) lines with pure lines enabled the creation of F1 hybrids with pronounced heterosis effects in terms of fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, dry matter content and total sugars in a two-year study. Nine experimental pepper hybrids from three groups (LDCxHM6, LDCxHM5, LDCxHM4). Hybrid 6 (LDC6xHM5) has the highest average fruit weight (129.77 g), while hybrid 1 (LDC1xHM6) achieved the highest number of fruits per plant (27.33). The length of the fruit is relatively stable, while the thickness of the pericarp varies, with the highest value (5.13 mm) in hybrid 8 (LDC2xHM4). Hybrid 1 has the highest percentage of dry matter (10.80%) and content of total sugars (8.0 Brix). The research results indicate the potential of hybrids 1 and 6 for high yields and fruit quality, which makes them suitable for further selection in pepper breeding programs and hybrid 8 for processing.