Horticultural Aspects for the Cultivated Production of Piquin Peppers (Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum)—A Review

Abstract

Piquin pepper [Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum (Dunal) Heiser and Pickergill] is a semidomesticated pepper with high commercial value and wide applications as fresh or processed products. Piquin pepper plants have been difficult to domesticate and cultivate because of low seed germination, genetic and morphologic variability, insect and disease susceptibility, and limited environmental physiology information. Currently, seed sterility is no longer considered a limiting factor as hormonal, chemical, and thermal treatments have been developed to overcome seed dormancy. In vitro propagation (primarily by direct organogenesis) is still not reliable for seedling production. Cropping systems of piquin pepper plants include traditional methods such as agroforestry and full sunlight, and under protected horticulture conditions, mainly shade nets. Shade levels and water availability affect yield and vegetative growth. Piquin pepper plants can be grown under diverse geographic and edaphic conditions. Nutrition and fertilization studies are limited. Biotic stresses that can cause economic damage to piquin pepper plants include most that affect other pepper cultivars. Piquin pepper is also considered an important genetic resource as it reports resistance to some viral groups, which could be used for genetic improvement of other cultivated peppers. Current research needs involve the development of dependable plant materials (cultivated varieties) with reduced labor needs, particularly during the harvest period. In addition, research is needed to reduce the susceptibility of piquin pepper plants to other plant diseases. This review presents an analysis of the aspects related to the production of piquin peppers under cultivated conditions.