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, 'Peru', '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 'Peru' and 'Puebla'; and high dry mass accumulation (450 g/plant) in 'Chiapas'. The highest photosynthesis rate in manzano hot pepper was 7.7 μnol of CO 2/m2/s at 500 μmol photons/m2/s, in 'Zongolica' and 'Puebla'.