Evaluation of capia pepper (C. annuum L.) inbred lines and selection of hybrid pepper varieties for protected cultivation

Abstract

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most produced vegetables in Turkey, both in open fields and under protected cultivation. There is a need for new hybrid varieties with various fruit types because of changing market demands. This study was carried out to determine both specific combining performances of capia pepper inbred lines and promising hybrids during two long-term production seasons in 2013 and 2014 at the Vegetable Department of Bati Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute (BATEM). A total of 16 capia pure lines within 25 were selected by considering heterotic patterns and were crossed as 8 males and 8 females to obtain specific hybrid combinations in spring season of 2012. Sixty-four hybrids and four commercial hybrids were tested in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications in 2013 in unheated glasshouse. Total fruit yield changed from 815 to 2006 g per plant. The selected 30 hybrids and 4 commercial hybrids were tested again in long-term growing season in 2014 in greenhouse and morphological characterizations of hybrids were done. Total fruit yield ranged from 1007 to 1896 g plant(-1). As a result of this study, two sweet and one hot superior capia pepper hybrids were determined as candidate for commercial market. The hybrids were also presented to private sector during growing season. The candidate capia pepper hybrid cultivars and 5 inbred lines were introduced to the private and public sector by “Products Catalogue” and some inbred lines were sold to private sector.