Abstract

NAREZ-JIMENEZ, Carlos A. et al. Collection and in situ morphological characterization of peppers (Capsicum spp.) cultivated in Tabasco, Mexico. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2014, vol.20, n.3, pp.269-281. ISSN 2007-4034.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchsh.2014.03.014.

Pepper is the second most important vegetable in Mexico. The aim of the present study was to collect peppers grown in the state of Tabasco, Mexico and then carry out an in situ assessment of their morphological diversity. From January to May 2013, a survey was made of 21 communities throughout the state, and data relating to 25 plant, flower and fruit variables were taken in situ from 43 collections which were subjected to principal component (PC) and cluster analysis. The first three PCs accounted for 63.14 % of the total variation among collections; the variables with the greatest contribution were fruit width, fruit weight, fruit shape, fruit apex shape, fruit shape at the junction with the pedicel, and leaf length and width. Cluster analysis of the selected variables differentiated the collections into three groups. The available evidence indicates that there is enough morphological diversity in commercial and backyard peppers grown in the state of Tabasco to be useful for breeding programs.

Keywords : Principal component analysis; genetic diversity; germplasm; Capsicum descriptors.