Microsatellites for detecting inconsistencies in Capsicum cultivars registration in Brazilian database: more than meets the eye

Abstract

In Brazil, cultivars are registered by National Register of Cultivars (RNC), which besides enabling commercialization of cultivar propagative material, also guarantees the producers genetic purity and identity of propagules. However, it is possible that the information about registration and commercialization of some cultivars is inaccurate. This study aims to analyze the use of microsatellite markers to detect inconsistencies in data of Capsicum spp. cultivars obtained from the official database (CultivarWeb). Seven cultivars were evaluated, three of them were through genetic identity analysis (Amarela Comprida, De Cayenne and Cayenne Long Slin) and the others were used as standard for the species C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense. Thirty-three microsatellite loci were polymorphic and presented 76 alleles (an average of 2.3 alleles/locus). Fixation Index (F) showed high homozygosis and estimators of genetic diversity (Ho and I) presented low genetic diversity among cultivars. The molecular analysis, represented in a dendrogram and in Principal Coordinate Analysis Chart (PCOA), showed that the investigated cultivars belong to C. annuum, contrary to what is registered in CultivarWeb, which indicates that such cultivars belong to the species C. frutescens. Thus, the authors recommend that the data in the CultivarWeb should be checked and enhanced.

Research Article Genetic diversity among pepper (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.) accessions estimated by microsatellite markers

“…with 33 SSR markers, found a range of 1.15 to 3.00 effective alleles, with a mean of 1.691. These values are in line with those expected for accessions that are genetically close and from autogamous species (Azevedo et al, 2019). Ulhoa et al (2014) found that, of the 15 SSR markers used to evaluate 24 strains of yellow jalapeño (C. annuum) from the Embrapa Hortaliças germplasm bank, 73% were homozygous and the remaining 27% had heterozygosity values of 5-73% (73% heterozygosity was observed in CAMS-024 and CAMS-117).…”

“…The lowest effective number of alleles (N e = 1.04) and the lowest diversity (H e = 0.041) were detected in UFMA35. Azevedo et al (2019), in evaluating Capsicum spp. with 33 SSR markers, found a range of 1.15 to 3.00 effective alleles, with a mean of 1.691.…”

“…Other plant populations showed low levels of heterozygosity, such as UFMA35 (H o = 0.043). Azevedo et al (2019), in investigating six varieties of Capsicum spp., found minimum and maximum H o values of 0.0 and 0.857, respectively, surpassing those found in the present study.…”

“…Molecular markers are important tools for characterizing plant species, including Capsicum spp. In particular, microsatellite markers, such as simple sequence repeats (SSRs), have contributed to the characterization of a variety of accessions in genetic improvement programs, including chili peppers, bell peppers, and their landrace varieties (Pereira et al, 2012;Oliveira et al, 2012;Naz et al, 2013;Azevedo et al, 2019).…”

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Brazilian Capsicum Germplasm

“…Many molecular markers are used to study Capsicum diversity, namely, RAPD (random amplification polymorphism DNA) [23][24][25], AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) [26][27][28], SSR (simple sequence repeat) or microsatellites [29][30][31][32], and ISSR (inter simple sequence repeats) [8,[33][34][35][36]. As the new generation sequencing techniques have become more accessible, new studies were carried out and were able to access the variations existing in Capsicum in greater depth.…”