Morphological Characterization of Local and Exotic Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Collections in UgandaVNsabiyeraauthorMLogoseauthorMOchwo-SsemakulaauthorPSseruwagiauthorPGibsonauthorC OOjiewoauthorThirty-seven local and introduced genotypes of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) were characterized for 20 quantitative and 28 qualitative morphological characters under screen-house conditions. There were highly significant differences among genotypes for most quantitative characters (P<0.001) except primary branch numbers (P>0.05). Exotic genotypes were superior in most traits compared to local genotypes. Local genotypes were characterized by small fruits, late maturity, taller plants with wider canopies compared to introduced genotypes. Local genotypes #31 and #26 were outstanding with respect to numbers of fruits per plant (mean 62) and earliness (60 days), respectively. The first and second principal components (PCs) for quantitative traits accounted for 41.6% and 13.8% of the total variability, respectively. Fruit length, fruit weight and fruit wall thickness largely contributed to PC1. Days to flowering, fruiting, fruit maturity; stem diameter and height; plant height and width largely contributed to PC2. Moderate diversity based on qualitative traits (Mean diversity index H` = 0.53) was detected among genotypes. Higher diversity indices were observed for stem pubescence type (1.16), leaf pubescence type and density (1.02), anther colour (0.94), calyx margin and fruit surface (1.06), and immature fruit colour intensity (1.03). Cluster analyses using 20 quantitative and 28 qualitative traits showed diversity among the genotypes at phenotypic level but with some level of genotypic relatedness and closeness. Based on Euclidean distance in cluster analysis dendrograms, exotic genotypes grouped more with local genotypes in qualitative compared with quantitative traits. The diversity among the germplasm in both qualitative and quantitative traits revealed by this study can be used for trait improvement through selection and gene introgression. Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2013Global Science BooksArticle