Vol. 10, Special Issue 1, Part K (2026)

An investigation was carried out to study the molecular characterization of chilli genotypes through SSR markers. PCR analysis of the thirty five genotypes using 40 SSRs ensured polymorphism with 39 markers and monomorphic with 1 marker. A total of 203 alleles were observed and the number of alleles varied from 1 (monomorphic) to 11 with an average of 5.07. Highest number of alleles were observed with HpmsE 074 marker. Genetic diversity among the genotypes was assessed on the basis of Polymorphic information content (PIC) value. PIC values of the markers varied from 0.09 to 0.89 with average value of 0.53. Based on cluster analysis done using 40 SSRs two diverse genotypes (IC-570408 and IC-561648) and two highly similar genotypes (IC-215012 and IC-572498) were identified which can be deployed in chilli breeding and crop improvement programmes.