Abstract

HERNANDEZ-VERDUGO, Sergio et al. Characterization and ecogeographical variation of wild pepper populations (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) from northwestern Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2012, n.33, pp.175-191. ISSN 1405-2768.

The geographic variation in morphological traits of 19 wild pepper population (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) from northwestern Mexico was analyzed in the field. The traits measured were: plant height, stem diameter, branch length, peduncle length, fruit lenght, fruit width, fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, and seed weight. The morphological traits data were analyzed by univariate and principal component (PC) analysis. The geographical and climatical data of population origen were analized by PC analysis and were correlated with morphological traits means. High variability for most of traits measured was found. Populations were clearly differentiated by univariate and PC analysis indicating a high variation among them. The population means of fruit length, fruit width and fruit weight, and number of seeds per fruit were positive and signiicantly correlated with the second PC of the geographical and climatical variables from population origen sites. This second PC was deined mainly by temperature, altitude and mean annual rainfall. These results indicate that the temperature and the water amount during plant growth and reproduction are important factors in the diferentiation of wild C. annuum populations in the field.

Keywords : Population differentiation; fruit; seed; geographic variation; morphological variation.