Hungarian Pepper Research Articles

Fight against cold: photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of different bell pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.) to cold stress

The special metabolites of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves can protect the plant under possibly damaging circumstances, such as high light, UV, unfavorable temperatures, or other environmental effects. In this study, we examined the cold stress tolerance of three different Hungarian pepper varieties (Darina, Édesalma, Rekord), focusing on the antioxidant and photosynthetic responses. The plants were developed in growth chambers under optimal temperature conditions (day/night 25 °C/20 °C) until the leaves on the fourth node became fully developed, then half of the plants received a cold treatment (day/night 15 °C/10 °C). Via a detailed pigment analysis, the PS II chlorophyll fluorescence responses, gas exchange parameters and total antioxidant capacities, leaf acclimation to low temperatures has been characterized. Our results display some of the developing physiological and antioxidant properties, which are among the main factors in monitoring the damaging effects of cold temperatures. Nevertheless, despite their differences, the tested pepper varieties did not show different cold responses.

Serological, Pathological and Molecular Characterisation of Hungarian Pepper Mild Mottle Tobamovirus (PMMoV) Isolates

Last year pepper growers observed symptoms referring to virus-infection in pepper plantations in plastic tunnels. Infected plants showed mosaic symptoms or mottling of the leaves, while on the fruits necrotic spots developed. These symptoms referred to a tobamovirus infection. Collected samples were examined by serological and pathological methods, followed by the biological characterisation of the isolates. For serological studies the DAS-ELISA method was used, in which the pathogen was identified as pepper mild mottle tobamovirus. During the pathological examination different host-plants have been used including some pepper varieties containing different L genes (L + –L 4). It was found, that the Hungarian isolates belonged to the P 1,2 pathotype and were closely related to the Spanish isolate (PMMV-S). PCR- studies proved the presence of the PMMoV P 1,2 pathotype in Hungary as well.

Studies on the Tobamovirus resistance of the pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar Greygo

Resistance of the Hungarian pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar "Gre.ygo" to Tohamoviruses has been investigated. All plants of the population of Greygo proved to be resistant to tobacco mosaic and tomato mosaic viruses (TMV, ToMV), both represent the pepper pathotypes Po of Tohamoviruses. Individuals of Greygo, however, were found to be susceptible to pathotypes P12 and P123 of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV). When inoculated with the XM isolate of dulcamara yellow fleck virus (DYFV, pathotype P1) the population of Greygo segregated in resistant and susceptible plants. These results as well as inoculations of the progenies of three TMV resistant plants clearly showed, that besides the resistance allele Li the cultivar Greygo possesses also an another allele. This allele, provisionally marked by L2g behaves like to the allele L2 characteristic to Capsicum frutescens cv. . Tabasco. Determination of the identity of the allele L2g to the allele L2 needs further genetic and pathological informations. Relations between the Tohamoviruses pathogenic to pepper and the alleles of the resistance gene L are outlined for the discussion.

Some Aspects of Pepper Virus Research

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important national product of Hungary. The success of production is greatly influenced by different pathogens. Among them viruses may cause considerable yield losses, depending on environmental factors, conditional stage of the plants and resistance level of the variety. This paper gives a short overview about Hungarian pepper virus research with an outlook to the international situations. Results of 25 years old surveys of virus diseases in forced and field conditions, pot experiments about the interaction of different pathogens, resistance level of pepper varieties, sources of resistance and breeding strategies for virus resistance are included in this review.

Virus susceptibility and resistance of Hungarian pepper varieties

The aim of our study was to examine susceptibility or resistance of 18 pepper varieties to four viruses [tobacco mosaic
 tobamovirus (TMV), sowbane mosaic sobemovirus (SoMV), NTN strain of potato Y potyvirus (PVYNTN) and cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV). Out of the 18 varieties, 13 were resistant to CMV infection. Thirteen varieties were susceptible to TMV, while five ones (Dabora Fl, Brill Fl, Feherozon Synthetic, Ciklon Fl, Cecil Fl) showed only local hypersensitive reaction. All of the tested pepper varieties showed resistance to SoMV. Eight varieties (Tuba, Fehérözön Synthetic, Boni, Alba Regia, Korona, Édesalma, Cecil Fl, Star) were found to be resistant to PVYNTN. Out of the examined varieties five (Boni, Alba Regia, Korona, Édesalma, Star) were resistant to three viruses (SoMV, CMV and PVYNTN). Only one (Cecil F1) displayed complex, extreme resistance to SoMV, PVYNTN, CMV and hypersensitive reaction to TMV, therefore this hybrid is very important in pepper breeding and growing for virus resistance.

Comparative investigations on protoplast culture of some Brazilian and Hungarian sweet pepper cultivars and hybrids

Cotyledon protoplasts were isolated from 16-18-day-old in vitro grown seedlings of 9 Brazilian and 3 Hungarian pepper varieties and hybrids. Large numbers (average 9.59 X 106 protoplasts g 14 fresh weight) of highly viable (average 87.0%) protoplasts were released using a pectocellulolytic enzyme mixture. Protoplasts were cultured in K8p mediuni using an alginate disc embedding method. The osmotic pressure of the medium surrounding the alginate-embedded protoplasts was reduced by replenishing the liquid medium at K8p:K8 ratios of 1:0. 2:1, 1:1 in the first. second, and third week, respectively. Initial plating efficiency (IPE) average was 38.5% and after 21 days protoplasts reached microcolonies (15-20 cells) stages. Microcolonies were transferred after 3-4 weeks to a MS-based medium supplemented with 1.0 mg I-1 zeatin, 3.0% (w/v) sucrose, 0.24% (w/v) phytagel and pH 5.8, whereupon they formed callus. Final plating efficiency (FPE) average was 0.29% at a plating density of 1.0 x 105 protoplasts Protoplast-derived calli were cultured on a range of MS-based media supplemented with either BAP, IAA, TDZ; and zeatin. No morphogenic response was observed in any genotype investigated.

The large scale preparation of ascorbic acid from Hungarian pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Szent-Gyorgyi's research on hexuronic acid had been seriously constrained by lack of a plentiful natural source of the chemical. Even with a good supply of adrenal glands (during his year at the Mayo Clinic) he had been able to extract only a small amount. After Svirbely's initial animal trial with the substance, Szent-Gyorgyi and his associate Ilona Banga developed a process to extract it from a new source: the red peppers used to make paprika (Capsicum annuum).