(274) Inter- and Intra-specific Variation in Yield and Quality Traits of Chile Pepper Breeding Lines

Abstract

<jats:p>Chilepepper (<jats:italic>Capsicum</jats:italic> spp.) is the third most important vegetable crop in the United States. The market value of chile peppers for spices and condiments exceeds $650 million per year. With a growing Hispanic population across the United States, the demand for high yielding, good quality cayenne pepper continues to increase. In order to fulfill this niche market, a study has been initiated to develop pepper varieties that combine high yield potential with superior agronomic traits, including insect and disease resistance, and fruit characteristics, using molecular marker assisted breeding/selection. In preliminary trials, several F<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> generations were created through inter- and intra-specific crosses among 220 germplasm lines belonging to six <jats:italic>Capsicum</jats:italic>sp. in the greenhouse. Selected F<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> progeny, parent lines, and selected accessions were planted in single-row field plots the following summer. The crossing success was higher within species than between. The genotypic variation was significant for all parameters examined. The average percent germination (81.1) of F<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> progeny was 32% and 45% higher than that of the parent lines and selected accessions, respectively. The F<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> progeny were shorter in height; more vigorous in growth, flowered early, and with fewer, but heavier, fruits per plant out-yielded the parent lines and accessions by 50% and 120%, respectively. The study showed a marked heterosis in F<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> progeny compared to the parent lines and accessions. Microsatellite genotyping to estimate genetic diversity and validation of markers that are linked to various traits is in progress and will be discussed in the presentation.</jats:p>