Bentazon Response of the U.S. Plant Introduction Collection of Pepper (Capsicumsp.)

Abstract

The U.S. Plant Introduction Collection for six pepper species (2694 accessions) was evaluated for tolerance to bentazon in a field study. Based on injury ratings,Capsicum annuum, C. chinense, andC. frutescensaccessions were mostly intermediate in response to bentazon with relatively few highly tolerant or susceptible. Most ofC. bacatum, C. chacoense, andC. pubescensand the unspeciated accessions were susceptible. Greenhouse experiments indicated that although most of the tolerant selections were highly tolerant, none was more tolerant than theC. annuumcultivars ‘Santaka’ or ‘Bohemian Chili’. None of the susceptible selections were more susceptible to bentazon than theC. annuumcultivar ‘Sweet Banana’. Individual plants that were highly tolerant were self-pollinated to produce progeny that were all highly bentazon tolerant, but none was more tolerant than Santaka or Bohemian Chili.