Morphological Characterization and Estimates of Genetic Parameters in Peppers With Ornamental Potential

The low number of ornamental pepper cultivars available in the market, combined with a high demand for this ornamental product, has boosted breeding programs for this crop. The objective was to morphologically characterize, estimating the genetic parameters of the main variables of ornamental importance in an F2 population of pepper (C. annuum). The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at the experimental area of the State University of Montes Claros, Janaúba campus, MG, Brazil. The accessions Uni01 and Uni07 were used as parents to obtain F1 generations and, subsequently, a F2 population; 333 genotypes from the F2 generation were evaluated using 19 qualitative and five quantitative descriptors correlated to important characteristics for varietal description and ornamental use. Five fruits per plant were used to evaluate fruit characters- mean fruit weight, mean fruit length, mean fruit diameter, mean peduncle length, and mean pericarp thickness. The genetic parameters of quantitative descriptors were estimated using mean square expected values obtained through Anova. The genetic variability found can be explored for most evaluated characteristics. The quantitative descriptors related to fruit characteristics, based on heritability estimates, can be considered for selection.