Abstract: In this study, we collected and planted 40 varieties of ornamental peppers under the same conditions and then described their ornamental characters in correlation with their diverse genetic backgrounds of pepper germplasm resources. Our results showed that the variation in both the number of fruits per plant and the weight per fruit was the largest amongst the whole group, while the lowest variation was the plant size. The average genetic diversity index was 0~2.06 in the 22 pepper varieties. Plant height had significantly positive correlation with plant breadth, bough length and number of fruits per plant, but there were very significantly negative correlation among plant height and leaf shape. There were very significantly positive correlation among plant breadth, leaf shape and pedicel bearing state. Fruit diameter had significantly negative correlation with weight per fruit, but there were very significantly positive correlation among number of fruits per plant. There was very significantly positive correlation among fruit length and fruit apex shape. There were very significantly positive correlation among number of fruits per plant, weight per fruit and fruit shape. Color of fruit had significantly negative correlation with flower color and style color. Leaf shape had significantly negative correlation with leaf margin and fruit shape. Leaf margin had significantly negative correlation with pedicel bearing state, but there were very significantly positive correlation among flower color. The results of this study can provide information for guiding the breeding and use of new varieties of ornamental peppers in gardening.

Key words: ornamental pepper, germplasm resources, home gardening, agronomic traits, correlation