Potential of pepper plant accessions for ornamental purposes using diallel analysis

Abstract

The genus Capsicum is cultivated in various parts of the world, with C. annuum showing high diversity and potential for ornamental purposes and genetic improvement. The aim of this work was to evaluate the combining ability and heterosis of seedling and plant traits in accessions of ornamental pepper and their hybrids. Seven accessions of C. annuum were handcrossed and twelve quantitative plant traits were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, the Scott-Knott test and diallel analysis using Griffing's method I (fixed model). Heterosis and its components were also determined. Non-additive effects were found for seedling height, cotyledonous leaf length and width; stem diameter and chlorophyll b content. All other traits showed predominance of additive effects. Heterosis effects were found for some hybrids and UFPB134 x UFPB137, UFPB134 x UFPB390, UFPB134 x UFPB004 and UFPB099 x UFPB004 showed seedlings that are more vigorous.

Genetic diversity in Capsicum and Solanum genotypes based on morphoagronomic characters

“…Genotypes 8 'Rocoto Vermelha' and 9 'Rocoto amarela' showed higher values for the main component 2, with higher values for fruit diameter and canopy diameter (Figure 3). Ornamental pepper plants must hold a canopy that covers the pot and shape proportional to the plant and pot size (Pessoa et al, 2019;Rego & Rêgo, 2018). The size of the fruit is not a decisive factor in the choice of ornamental pepper by consumers.…”

“…Such restrictions can be circumvented via genetic breeding (Fortunato et al, 2019). Increasing the frequency of favorable alleles in a single genotype is the biggest challenge in breeding programs (Pessoa et al, 2019). The knowledge on genetic variability degrees via divergence analysis provides important parameters to both identify specific potentials for each genotype and select individuals that can be used in breeding programs; in addition, it allows verifying the existence of accessions with ornamental potential based on the characteristics of interest in ornamental peppers (Baba et al, 2016).…”

Morphological diversity among Brazilian Capsicum peppers

“…The five major domesticated and economic important species are: C. annuum L., C. chinense Jacq., C. frutescens L., C. baccatum L., and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pav (CARRIZO GARCÍA et al, 2016). Capsicum diversity is represented by a wide range of morphological features, as the fruit shape, size, weight, and color, besides pungencies, flavors and nutritional composition (COSTA et al, 2015(COSTA et al, , 2019MACIEL et al, 2019;PESSOA et al, 2019).…”