Das, Arun KumarSandip, V.2017-07-312017-07-312017-07-31TH- 4830http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810026759The present investigation entitled, “Evaluation of capsicum [Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.] cultivars under field condition in the coastal zone of Odisha” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during rabi season of the year 2016-2017. Eight diverse cultivars were evaluated in a randomized block design experiment with three replicates. Data were collected on days to 50% flowering, plant height at 50% flowering, days to first harvest, plant height at last harvest, number of branches per plant, leaf area, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of lobes per fruit, number of pickings, harvest duration, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content and fruit yield (g/plant, kg/plot and t/ha). Mean values were used to determine characters’ phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. Broad sense heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean was estimated for each trait. Direct and indirect effects of various traits on fruit yield and inter-relationship among different traits were also studied. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for all the traits. The genotype Kandaghat sel-1gave the highest yield (16.23 t/ha) and performed better for other important horticultural traits over the check cultivar California Wonder (14.85 t/ha). The cultivar Arka Mohini was earliest to come to first harvest. Less difference between PCV and GCV was found for all traits except number of branches per plant and number of pickings indicated less influence of environment on the character thus the traits can be used for selection. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic gain was obtained for fruit yield per plant (94.05% & 39.66%), fruit weight (95.74% & 33.74%), plant height at last harvest (94.34% & 27.46%), harvest duration (89.36% & 35.87%) and quality parameters indicating scope for their improvement through selection. Fruit yield per plant was significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit girth, plant height at 50% flowering, leaf area, number of branches per plant and number of lobes per plant. Maximum positive direct effect towards fruit yield per plant was contributed by fruit weight and number of fruits per plant suggested that attention needs to be given on these characters while designing crop improvement programmes in capsicumennullThesis