Abstract

BERNY-MIER Y TERAN, Jorge C.; ABDALA-ROBERTS, Luis; DURAN-YANEZ, Antonio  and  TUT-PECH, Felipe. Variation in insect pest and virus resistance among habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) in Yucatán, México. Agrociencia [online]. 2013, vol.47, n.5, pp.471-482. ISSN 2521-9766.

The evaluation of crop genetic variation for herbivore resistance is a relevant tool that can provide information about plant breeding strategies and biological control. The objective of this study was to provide a field-based assessment of pest resistance in five lines of habenero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.). Weekly surveys were conducted at an experimental site in Mocochá (Yucatán, México) from July 2010 to December 2010, including incidence of Bemisiatabaci nymphs and Liriomyza trifolii leafmines, fruit infestation by the pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii), and the presence and severity of symptoms of viral infection. The experimental design was completely randomized with five 5X5 m replicate plots, each containing an equal number of plants of each C. chinense line. There were significant differences (p≤0.05) among C. chinense lines for the number of mines per leaf and the proportion of fruits infested by the pepper weevil. Genotype 36 (a South American habanero) exhibited the highest incidence of leaf mines but the lowest incidence of fruit attack by the weevil, while genotype 110 (Antillean yellow habanero) showed a reverse pattern. In addition, there were differences among lines in the severity of virosis symptoms, suggesting differencial susceptibility to viruses. These results provide novel evidence of pest resistance variation in C. chinense lines under field conditions, to be used in selecting for pest resistance in this crop.

Keywords : Capsicum chinense; plant resistance; plant genetic variation.

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