ABSTRACT
The cumari hot pepper, Capsicum baccatum var. praetermissum and C. baccatum var. baccatum, is a semi-domesticated species, endemic to the Southeast and Midwest regions of Brazil. Despite its economic importance, especially for small farmers in family agriculture systems, no cumari cultivars are available in the Brazilian market. This research aimed to evaluate 16 cumari accessions of the Capsicum Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Vegetables based on morpho-agronomic features, and identify promising accessions for further breeding programs. Genetic variability was found among accessions and differences were observed for the majority of the characteristics. The earliest genotype, CNPH 4065, set flowers 81 days after sowing and the latest, CNPH 2957, at 126 days. The number of flowers per axil ranged from 1 to 3. Pubescence, a relevant plant characteristic associated to insect resistance was found as follows: highly pubescent plants 6.25%; moderately pubescent 6.25%; almost glabrous 12.50%; and glabrous 75.00%. Yield was estimated in between 8 grams/plant and 340 grams/plant. PepYMV (33% of the total number of plants) was the most prevalent virus infecting cumari hot peppers in the field. Five accessions (CNPH 4065; CNPH 3824; CNPH 3993; CNPH 2964; CNPH 2948) were considered as promising to be used in cumari breeding programs.
Keywords:
Capsicum baccatum; earliness; variability
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