ARS | Publication request: GENETIC ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF SOUTHERN ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE RESISTANCE IN HOT PEPPER (CAPSICUM CHINENSE)

Submitted to: National Pepper Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 26, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Greenhouse tests were conducted to determine the inheritance of the high level of southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) resistance exhibited by recently released hot pepper (Capsicum chinense) germplasm and to compare the nature of this resistance to that exhibited by resistant C. annuum cultivars. The results of the initial test indicated that the level of resistance exhibited by the recently released C. chinense germplasm lines PA-353, PA-398, and PA-426) is equal to the level of resistance exhibited by the resistant C. annuum cultivars Carolina Cayenne and Mississippi Nemaheart. The evaluation of parental, F1, F2, and backcross populations of the cross PA-426 x PA-350 indicated that the resistance in C. chinense is conditioned by a single dominant gene. The results of an allelism test indicated that this dominant gene is allelic to the N gene that conditions the high level of resistance to southern root-knot nematode in the C. annuum cv. Carolina Cayenne. The availability of a simply inherited source of outstanding resistance makes breeding for southern root-knot nematode resistance a viable objective in C. chinense breeding programs. This objective should be readily obtainable by the application of conventional plant breeding methodologies.