ARS | Publication request: ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE RESISTANCE IN PEPPER (CAPSICUM CHINENSE JACQ.): DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANT HABANERO-TYPE CULTIVARS FOR U. S. GROWERS

Submitted to: International Pepper Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 31, 2004
Publication Date: November 14, 2004
Citation: Fery, R.L., Thies, J.A. 2004. Root-knot nematode resistance in pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.): Development of resistant habanero-type cultivars for U. S. growers. International Pepper Conference Proceedings, Naples, FL, November 14-16, 2004, p. 5.

Technical Abstract: Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are major pests of pepper (Capsicum spp.) in the United States, and parasitism of susceptible plants can result in severe yield losses. Although cultivars belonging to the species C. annuum account for most of the peppers grown in the U.S., Habanero-type cultivars belonging to the species C. chinense are becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, all commercial Habanero-type cultivars are susceptible to root-knot nematodes. In 1997, the USDA released three C. chinense germplasm lines that exhibit high levels of resistance to root-knot nematodes. The resistance in these lines is conditioned by a single dominant gene, and this gene conditions resistance to the southern root-knot nematode (M. incognita), the peanut root-knot nematode (M. arenaria race 1), and the tropical root-knot nematode (M. javanica). A recurrent backcross breeding procedure has been used to transfer the C. chinense root-knot nematode resistance gene into Habanero-type germplasm. Several root-knot nematode resistant, Habanero-type candidate cultivars have been developed. Each of these Habanero-type candidate cultivars has a compact plant habit and produces a high yield of orange-colored, lantern-shaped fruit.