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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161493
Title: ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE RESISTANCE IN CAPSICUM CHINENSE: DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANT HABANERO-TYPE CULTIVARS

Author
item Fery, Richard
item Thies, Judy

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2004
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Fery, R.L., Thies, J.A. 2004. Root-knot nematode resistance in Capsicum chinense: development of resistant habanero-type cultivars [abstract]. Hortscience. 39(4):766.

Interpretive Summary:

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 in 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.