Search

Introduction – Since the international popularity of tsiperifery, the Malagasy wild pepper (Piper sp.) from Madagascar started to grow, traditional low-intensity harvesting has turned into uncontrolled systematic collection, which is environmentally and socio-economically unsustainable. Domestication could be key for sustainable exploitation of tsiperifery. Here we collated information from comparable domesticated Piper species to identify pathways to accelerate the domestication of tsiperifery. Materials and methods – We conducted a literature review, upon four steps: (1) identification of the already domesticated Piper species; (2) analysis of their domestication history and cultivation methods to highlight the common critical points for domestication; (3) comparison of this information with the limited ones available on tsiperifery; and (4) provision of preliminary recommendations on a possible domestication pathway for tsiperifery. Results and discussion – We identified and analyzed 22 domesticated Piper species. We found nine critical issues, the most important being: (i) genotype selection; (ii) procedure for vegetative propagation; (iii) reproduction of the microclimatic and edaphic conditions of the rainforest understory; (iv) choice of the best supports and cultivation system; (v) reduction of the delay before entry into production; and (vi) control of plant height. For each critical issue, we suggested preliminary recommendations. Conclusion – This paper provides baseline information towards the domestication of tsiperifery. Further on-field and molecular experiments are needed to confirm these findings and identify suitable management practices.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most produced vegetables in Turkey, both in open fields and under protected cultivation. There is a need for new hybrid varieties with various fruit types because of changing market demands. This study was carried out to determine both specific combining performances of capia pepper inbred lines and promising hybrids during two long-term production seasons in 2013 and 2014 at the Vegetable Department of Bati Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute (BATEM). A total of 16 capia pure lines within 25 were selected by considering heterotic patterns and were crossed as 8 males and 8 females to obtain specific hybrid combinations in spring season of 2012. Sixty-four hybrids and four commercial hybrids were tested in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications in 2013 in unheated glasshouse. Total fruit yield changed from 815 to 2006 g per plant. The selected 30 hybrids and 4 commercial hybrids were tested again in long-term growing season in 2014 in greenhouse and morphological characterizations of hybrids were done. Total fruit yield ranged from 1007 to 1896 g plant(-1). As a result of this study, two sweet and one hot superior capia pepper hybrids were determined as candidate for commercial market. The hybrids were also presented to private sector during growing season. The candidate capia pepper hybrid cultivars and 5 inbred lines were introduced to the private and public sector by “Products Catalogue” and some inbred lines were sold to private sector.

Despite the rising popularity of high quality colored bell peppers, market growth is currently threatened due to internal fruit rot caused mainly by the fungus Fusarium lactis (FLASC), which causes yield losses of 5% with seasonal peaks up to 50%. Although the disease has emerged as a significant threat to bell pepper production, adequate chemical or biological control measures are lacking. Moreover, Belgian pepper production has an overall low impact on the environment with respect to fungicidal use. Therefore, the need for new biocontrol agents (BCA) to tackle internal fruit rot is urgent as bell pepper growers strive to produce low residue fruit. Hence, more than 100 strains of potential antagonistic fungi were screened for mycelial inhibition of FLASC by employment of an adapted dual culture in vitro selection. The main criteria for BCA selection were at least 20% inhibition of mycelial growth after two days of in vitro growth and sporulation quantities exceeding 107 spores mL-1 after one week of growth on potato dextrose medium. After screening, the best candidates were further evaluated in greenhouse trials during three consecutive years. Both screening methods resulted in the selection of two potential isolates of Gliocladium roseum which significantly reduced infections over the three years of field trials. Although these BCAs proved to be effective against internal fruit rot in bell pepper, further screenings should be carried out to investigate safety, environmental risks and ecological characteristics. ispartof: Acta Horticulturae vol:1 issue:1269 pages:59-66 status: published

This study was carried out in the laboratories and greenhouses of Çukurova University, Alata Horticultural Research Institute and a seed company between 2015 and 2016 to obtain nematode resistant pure pepper lines. The pure lines were obtained from F1 plants via anther culture method. F1 plants were obtained via crossing of three nematode resistant pepper genitors in F6 level (N-269: green -N gen, N-8: green-N gen and N-6: bell-N gen) which were obtained from the studies carried out at the Alata Horticultural Research Institute with breeding pepper lines of a seed company selected in terms of high fruit quality and desired agronomic characters in F3 level (5 green, 5 bell, 5 charleston and 5 capia). Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient medium contained 30 g L-1 sucrose, 0.25% activated charcoal, 15 mg L-1 silver nitrate (AgNO3), 4 mg L-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was used. The cultivated anthers were transferred hormone-free MS nutrient medium after 35 days. As a result of the study; it was observed that different parameters were changed according to genotypes. The highest embryo yield was obtained from the genotype numbered Z-tad 87 (nematode resistance × bell hybrid). Among crossing between nematode resistance and different pepper types; bell pepper type gave the highest embryo yield and this was followed by capia, charleston, and green types. The highest rate of embryos produced plants was observed in green pepper type. The highest haploid plant percentage was observed in capia pepper type and this was followed by charleston. As a result, all genotypes tested reacted to anther culture and the number of embryo and haploid plants obtained were varied. In the study, three homozygote pure lines contained Me1, Me3, N and Me7 resistance genes were recorded. Also, one homozygote pure lines contained Me1 was noted. These nematode resistant genotypes obtained can also be used in breeding studies. © 2019 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved. Ministry of Science, Technology and Space Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu The authors would like to thank the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology (Project Code: ? ? ? ?.STZ. ? ? ? ?) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for supporting this research.

Hot pepper crops are characterized by having indeterminate growth, continuous flowering and consequently fruits at different stages of maturation. As a result, it becomes difficult to determine the optimal time for harvest, which is an aspect that should be considered in order to obtain high physiological seed quality. In general, physiological seed quality of hot pepper is erratic and shows low germination and vigor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of hot pepper seeds obtained from fruits harvested at different stages of maturation under tropical conditions. The experiment was held at Embrapa Vegetables in Brasilia, DF, Brazil, during spring. Seeds of hot pepper cultivar 'BRS Mari' from the Embrapa Vegetables breeding program were extracted from fruits at different maturation stages (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 days after anthesis - DAA). Seed extraction and conditioning were done manually. Seed quality was evaluated by the following tests: seed moisture content, germination, first count, seedling emergence in greenhouse conditions, and accelerated ageing with the use of saturated NaCl solution for 72 h. Seed moisture content (SMC) ranged from 89% at 20 DAA to 39% at 80 DAA. The maximum physiological quality was observed in seeds obtained from fruits harvested at 70 DAA. At this time, SMC was 39%, and seed germination and seedling emergence reached 70 and 72%, respectively. Seed germination and vigor decreased at 80 DAA.