Assessment of main phenotypic traits on ornamental pepper cultivars from Vegetable Research Development Station Buzau - Romania

O.L. Agapie, F. Stănică, C. Vinatoru, E. Barcanu, B.E. Tănase, I. Gherase, G. Negoșanu
Hot pepper has multiple uses, it can be used fresh, in various forms of preservation and culinary preparations, used in medicinal extracts and, also, as an ornamental plant. Breeding and Biodiversity Laboratory from Vegetable Research Development Station Buzau - Romania has a germplasm collection consisting of 200 accessions in various breeding stages. A number of eight accessions with distinct phenotypic expressivity were the subject of this study. The aim of this research was to analyze 15 quantitative and 13 qualitative traits and to assess the capsaicin content of eight valuable accessions in order to establish the directions of use as: fresh consumption, chili powder, ornamental purposes or for pharmaceutical use. The quantitative parameters were statistically processed using the ANOVA followed by Duncan test and significant differences were observed. Regarding the plant height, the maximum value was recorded by accession A58 (23.5 cm), while A26 recorded the smallest value (13.5 cm). The highest yield per plant was obtained by A57 (261.4 g) and the lowest by A25 (99.74 g). Phenotypic differences were also observed in fruit color, so accessions A24, A56, A58 presents red fruit at maturity stage, A25 and A55 yellow fruit, while A26 and A54 have orange fruit. Regarding the capsaicin content concentration, different values were registered, ranging from 3490 SHU (A26) to 149390 SHU (A58). In conclusion, from a number of eight studied accessions, A57 was particularly notable, being an undersized plant (14.96 cm), with color variation at harvest maturity going from purple to red, while at physiological maturity it turns into brown. The yield potential was high, making it ideal for growing in pots. The A57 can be successfully cultivated for ornamental and food purposes and it will be proposed for approval.
Agapie, O.L., Stănică, F., Vinatoru, C., Barcanu, E., Tănase, B.E., Gherase, I. and Negoșanu, G. (2021). Assessment of main phenotypic traits on ornamental pepper cultivars from Vegetable Research Development Station Buzau - Romania. Acta Hortic. 1327, 823-830
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1327.109
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1327.109
biodiversity, breeding, capsaicin, Capsicum frutescens, Scoville scale
English

Acta Horticulturae