Fifteen hybrids of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) were produced through the half diallel genetic design using improved chilli varieties viz., CA 3, CA 5, CA 6, CA 8, CA 23 and CA 32. Hybrids and parents were evaluated for growth and yield traits using RBD in field conditions at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerela Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapurum during 2014-2015. Analysis of variance for combining ability exhibited the significance for gca and sca effects for all the characters studied. This indicated that materials used for present investigation had adequate diversity for different characters. In the present study based on per se performance, standard heterosis and sca effects, the hybrids CA 23 x CA 32, CA 8 x CA 32, CA 8 x CA 23, CA 6 x CA 32, CA 6 x CA 23, CA 6 x CA 8, CA 5 x CA 32 and CA 5 x CA 23 were found superior in respect of seven characters viz., days to first harvest, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, seeds per fruit, green fruit yield per plant and dry fruit yield per plant. Among the hybrids CA 8 x CA 32 and CA 5 x CA 32 suitable for dual purpose (green as well as dry chilli) based on yield and quality. These cross combinations could be exploited in heterosis breeding programme.

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