Selection of ideal genotypes in peppers with ornamental potential

ABSTRACT Ornamental peppers have a significant economic importance in the national and international markets; however, few cultivars intended for this purpose are grown in Brazil. The objective of this study was to select partially inbred lines (PIL) of peppers with ornamental potential, based on quantitative and qualitative variables with high heritability. The study was conducted over six generations for 4 consecutive years, using the single seed descent method. The last phase (VI) consisted of growing plants of the F5 generation for selection. Qualitative (LD) and quantitative (QD) descriptors were considered and the ideal genotypes were defined. The statistical analyses consisted of estimating variance components and genetic parameters and predicting genetic values, using REML/BLUP for QD, except for cycle to flowering (CF) and cycle to maturation (CM), which were analysed qualitatively. Therefore, CF and CM were analysed through frequency distribution of continuous variables within class intervals. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate LD. The results showed that residual values exceeded genetic values, resulting in low heritability for QD, and therefore, they were not considered for PIL selection. Regarding LD, genetic variability was found among the population genotypes for all evaluated descriptors. The selection based on ideal genotypes enabled the selection of 82 PIL with LD of high ornamental value, which differ from the materials already available on the market. The selected genotypes will be used for developing future generations until allele fixation, focussed on subsequent selection of candidate lines for new ornamental pepper cultivars.