Physiological Characterization of Manzano Hot Pepper (Capsicum pubescens R & P) Landraces

Abstract

Six manzano hot chile pepper landraces (Capsicum pubescens R & P) were evaluated to identify genotypes which might contribute toward obtaining superior hybrids by providing the following characteristics: low height, short internodes, rapid biomass accumulation, high harvest index, high fruit quality, and high photosynthetic rate. The landraces studied were `Chiapas', `Huatusco I', `Huatusco II', `Perú', `Puebla', and `Zongolica'. Plants were grown in a shaded glasshouse for 9 months, with drip irrigation. Growth, biomass distribution, fruit quality and yield were determined. All varieties exhibited advantageous characteristics, i.e., large fruit (60 mL) with thick pericarp (4.2 mm) in `Puebla'; short internodes (10 cm) in `Zongolica' and `Huatusco II'; high harvest index (0.24), high yield (18 to 19 t·ha−1) and high relative growth rates (0.12 g·g−1·d−1) in `Perú' and `Puebla'; and high dry mass accumulation (450 g/plant) in `Chiapas'. The highest photosynthesis rate in manzano hot pepper was 7.7 μmol of CO2/m2/s at 500 μmol photons/m2/s, in `Zongolica' and `Puebla'.