Perspectives of Bell Pepper Breeding

Abstract

SummaryThe Solanaceae family is the most important, representing a diverse group of different vegetables that are indispensable in every kitchen. Among the fruit vegetables, bell pepper has a specific identity. Bell pepper fruits are generally blocky, square, thick fleshed, three to four lobed and nonpungent. It is a versatile crop plant and its consumption is on the increase all over the world. With its increasing demand, world wide emphasis is being given to the development of hybrids. Flowers are bisexual borne in ones, twos or rarely in clusters at the apex of the main shoot as well as on the axils of the lateral branches. Many of the Capsicum varieties and hybrids are in the market. Considerable amount of heterosis is reported in this crop for many economical characters. Genetic and cytoplasmic male sterile systems are available in the crop. Chemical gametocides may compliment the use of male sterility in bell pepper for better hybridization. Micropropagation could be used for maintenance and multiplication of parental lines. Double haploids could be useful in fixing homozygosity of the population. In bell pepper, single cross hybrids are the only type of commercial hybrids. The hybrid seed yield is low but becomes economical as the seed price is relatively high. The hybrid seed is commonly produced by hand emasculation and hand pollination. Genetic and cytoplasmic male sterility is also being used but on a limited scale. Seed production required lot of care of the seed plot, timely inspection, proper crossing/hybridization, harvesting, seed extraction, drying, and storage.