Genetic divergence of phosphorus nutritional efficiency in sweet pepper lines

Ten sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) lines were screened for P nutritional efficiency, as well as for the most adequate P dose for genetic studies an d the character that most contributed for genetic divergence. An experiment was conducted in soil sack, in a greenhouse at Universidade Federal de Vic osa, UFV, Brazil. The treatments were arranged in a factorial layout (10 x 5) x 4, comprising ten lines, five doses of P (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 m g P/kg of soil) and four replicates, in a randomized block design. A multiv ariate analysis was performed for each dose of P applied in the soil. There was genetic divergence among lines in every dose of P studied. The dose 25 0 mg P/kg of soil was considered as the best to rank the lines, therefore, it is indicated for genetic studies. With this dose, shoot dry matter was t he trait that contributed most for genetic divergence among lines, and it s hould be an adequate parameter for screening for P efficiency in genetic st udies.