FACTOR ANALYSIS IN EXOTIC CHILLIES

A pooled factor analysis of twelve variables in two exotic varieties of chilli (Capsicum chinensis
L) such as Scotch Bonnet and Trinidad was carried out for identifying the most prominent characters
contributing towards and yield. For the chilli variety Scotch Bonnet, out of the twelve characters
subjected to analysis, five factors were identified as having maximum influence on the growth and
yield. Out of the five factors identified three factors controlled the growth and remaining two
factors governed the yield. The characters identified with maximum factor loadings in each group
include plant height, number of leaves, plant spread, seeds/fruit, number of branches and fruit
length. For Scotch Bonnet, the five principal components or factors accounted for 63.09% of the
total variance. For the variety Trinidad, out of twelve characters five factors were identified as
having maximum influence on the growth and yield. Out of the five factors identified three factors
controlled the yield characters and two factors controlled the growth characters. The characters
identified with maximum factor loadings in each group include number of fruits, seed/fruit, number
of leaves, plant height and fruit length. For Trinidad, the five principal components or factors
accounted for 62.12% of the total variance. Out of the twelve characters five of them are common
in both varieties but trait, plant spread is an added component in the Scotch Bonnet variety perhaps contributing more towards variation.