478 PB 402 CORE COLLECTION OF CAPSICUM GERMPLASM

Abstract

Preservation of genetic diversity is of paramount importance in germplasm. A method of collecting, storing, and organizing genetic material to include maximum variability and to minimize repetition within the collection is a “core collection.” To assist the National Plant Germplasm System in developing a core collection, or core subset of Capsicum germplasm, field evaluations were conducted from 1989 to 1993 at New Mexico State University. In determining how best to organize the core subsets, we believe the objectives of a Capsicum core subset should be to increase the efficiency of evaluation and thus the utilization of existing collections and to provide for a manageable and representative selection of available Capsicum germplasm for use in research and plant breeding. We are using a modified IBPGR Capsicum descriptor list to evaluate the collection, With these objectives in mind, we are suggesting the following approach to Capsicum core subsets. At least one accession of each Capsicum species is contained in the core. The most economically important species, C. annuum, represents the majority of accessions. Within C. annuum the core subsets are grouped by pod-type (ancho, bell, jalapeno, etc.). The pod-type is analogous to races in maize (Zea mays).