Diversity among 133 sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes in relation to twelve agronomic characteristics was assessed through multivariate analysis techniques (Mahalanobis' D² distances, Tocher's cluster analysis, and dispersion graph analysis). The trial was carried out from October 6, 1993 to March 19, 1994, under field conditions, in Viçosa (MG), on a red yellow podzolic soil. The experimental design was a complete randomized block, with three replications, and each experimental plot was made up of six plants (2.16 m²). Through the analysis it was possible to cluster the sweet pepper genotypes in fifteen distinct groups. Genotypes P-141-195-F10, P-142-270-F10, P-141-90-F13, cv. Apolo AG 511 and P-142-222-F13 were the most divergent and showed the highest yields (935 g/plant) and fruit quality (bright, conical-shaped, uniformly dark green coloured fruits, with a reduced occurrence of deformations), which qualifies them as promising for genetic breeding programs. The characteristics that contributed less to genetic diversity were total yield per plant, number of days to begin flowering, index of cropping concentration, and stem and stalk diameter. Those with major contributions were firstly bifurcation and plant height, length/width ratio of fruits and index of earlyness.
Capsicum annuum L.; breeding; agronomic characteristics; yield; cluster analysis; Tocher's method; index of earliness; index of cropping concentration
