Functional Characteristics and Molecular Identification of Interspecific Hybrids from Genus Capsicum

Dorota Olszewska,Jakub Litewka,Emilia Witkowska,Magdalena Tomaszewska-Sowa

doi:10.3390/agriculture11121198

Abstract

The taxonomy of the genus Capsicum has distinguished more than twenty species of peppers with only C. annuum L. being a vegetable of economic importance. The remaining species can, however, be used in breeding via interspecies hybridization as a source of valuable functional traits. The aim of the study was to obtain interspecific hybrids of peppers with increased agronomic potential and their molecular identification. Based on their agromorphological characteristics, the obtained hybrids (‘Anchi’ × C. frutescens L.)F1 and (‘Anchi’ × C. baccatum var. pendulum)F1 formed fruits that had the combined functional traits typical of the cultivar ‘Anchi’, with a high content of soluble solids and dry matter characteristic of pollinators. To identify hybrids and their parental forms, the random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction (PCR-ISSR) techniques were used. The polymorphic products obtained in both methods totalled 65% and 59%, respectively, and they allowed for the identification of all tested genotypes, excluded the possibility of self-pollination of ‘Anchi’ plants, and confirmed the hybrid characteristics of the crossbreed (‘Anchi’ × C. frutescens L.)F1.

Highlights

Accepted: 24 November 2021The genus Capsicum is native to tropical and subtropical areas of Middle and CentralAmerica
Contemporary taxonomy has identified more than twenty Capsicum species, five of which are considered domesticated, including C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens [1]
The increased agronomic potential of pepper genotypes in such a diverse scope can be obtained by interspecific hybridization

Summary

Introduction

Accepted: 24 November 2021The genus Capsicum is native to tropical and subtropical areas of Middle and CentralAmerica. Contemporary taxonomy has identified more than twenty Capsicum species, five of which are considered domesticated, including C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens [1]. Pepper fruits are appreciated by consumers because of their high nutritional values of vitamins and minerals as well as for their unique taste and aroma. This positive impact makes the pepper a functional food that plays an important role in the prevention of many diseases due to their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The diverse use of pepper fruits generates a demand for variants with increased fruit suitability for industrial processing, characterized by a high content of capsaicinoids, vitamin C, and other bioactive chemical compounds.

Objectives

Methods

Results