High Rates of Cross-pollination in Chile Pepper

Abstract

The natural cross-pollination (NCP) rate was determined for chile pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) utilizing isozyme variation in tester lines. Experiments were conducted over a 2 year period in a total of 5 commercial fields in southern New Mexico. The average NCP for both years was 42% with the rate for individual plants as high as 91%. Such high rates of cross-pollination indicate the need for the strictest precautions in the production of commercial seed, and in the design and execution of breeding procedures.