Assessment of Phytogenetic Resources of Chili Pepper (Capsicum annun L.) in Yaounde-Cameroon and their Supply Areas

Abstract

A survey was performed in order to characterize the available phytogenetic resources of Chili pepper (Capsicum annun. L.). A sample of one hundred and twenty-six (126) individuals was used in the study. They included 85 traders, 25 producers and 16 seed promotion institutions from Yaounde, (Cameroon) and its supply areas. Respondents described eighteen varieties of pepper by production zones (12.91%) and colours (19.35%), while 65.59% of the respondents have no idea of the varieties marketed. Most of the pepper sold in the market, generally comes from areas such as Foumbot (25.71%), Bangante (13.33%), Okola (8.57%), Mbouda (6.97%), Mfou (5.71%) and unknown origin (21.9 %). The pepper is taken out of their production areas without any varietal identity, due to negligence on the part of producers, who buy 30% of the seedlings from the market, or extract their own seeds (42.5%) without prior identification of the variety. This leads to the loss of the genetic resource, despite the presence of several marketing structures with several well-known varieties. The lack of proper characterization leads to erosion of the pepper plant genetic resources in Yaounde and its supply areas. Added to this is the lack of interest of sellers, the high price of seeds, and the extraction of seeds from fruits after a production season or the use of seeds from the market.