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Title: Notice of Release of PA-560, a Root-knot Nematode Resistant, Yellow-fruited, Habanero-type Pepper

Author
item Fery, Richard
item Thies, Judy

Submitted to: Germplasm Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2009
Publication Date: 10/20/2009
Citation: Fery, R.L., Thies, J.A. 2009. Notice of Release of PA-560, a Root-knot Nematode Resistant, Yellow-fruited, Habanero-type Pepper. Germplasm Release. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington, D.C. 20350, October 20, 2009.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The USDA has developed a yellow-fruited, Habanero-type pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) that is highly resistant to root-knot nematodes. The new breeding line, designated PA-560, is the product of a backcross/pedigree breeding procedure to incorporate a root-knot nematode resistance gene from the Scotch Bonnet-type accession PA-426 into a yellow-fruited, Habanero-type pepper. PA-560 was derived from a single F3 (BC4F3 x BC4F3) plant grown in 2005. It is homozygous for a dominant gene conditioning a high level of resistance to the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White], the peanut root-knot nematode [M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood], and the tropical root-knot nematode [M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood]. PA-560 has a compact plant habit and produces a lantern-shaped, yellow-colored fruit. The results of replicated field studies conducted at Charleston, SC, indicate the yield potential of PA-560 is comparable to that of traditional Habanero-type cultigens. A typical fruit weighs about 7.6 - 8.0 g and is 2.37 – 2.49 cm wide x 4.43 – 5.54 cm long; the fruit wall is thin (1.43 – 1.60 mm). The fruits are extremely pungent (326,710 Scoville heat units), and a typical fruit has three locules (average number of locules: 3.3). The root-knot nematode resistant PA-560 is recommended for use as a parental line by pepper breeders interested in developing yellow-fruited, root-knot nematode resistant cultivars of Habanero-type peppers. The dominant nature of the gene conditioning the root-knot nematode resistance trait would make PA-560 useful as an inbred parent for development of root-knot nematode resistant F1 hybrids.