RESISTANCE TO Phytophthora capsici LEO. OF CHILLI PEPPER LANDRACES OF SOUTHERN PUEBLA, MÉXICO

Abstract

Pepper production (Capsicum spp.) is severely affected by infection of Phytophthora capsici LEO. The search for genetic resistance in native pepper populations is considered an alternative to solve this phytosanitary problem. The resistance to Phytophthora capsici of 29 accessions collected in the State of Puebla, México was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Appearance of symptoms, incidence, accumulated necrosis in the base of the stem, and the disease progress curve were registered as response variable. Variance analysis and means comparisons showed significant differences between populations, thus indicating that some materials have particular defense mechanisms that could be explored and used in plant breeding protocols.