Variation in Double-stranded Ribonucleic Acid among Pepper Cultivars

Abstract

Double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) was found associated with 51 of 80 healthy pepper (Capsicum annuum L., C. frutescent L., C. chinense Jacq.) cultivars analyzed. In general, dsRNAs were consistent within particular cultivars. Twelve distinct dsRNA profiles that varied in the number and size of the dsRNA segments were obtained. All bell and pimento pepper cultivars analyzed had a similar dsRNA profile. Furthermore, all six cherry pepper cultivars tested were free of dsRNAs. However, an association between the dsRNA profile and the pepper group was not obtained with other cultivars. Selected dsRNAs were transmitted at a high rate through the seed of self-pollinated plants but were not transmitted through grafts to plants that lacked them.