Ex situ morphological characterization of the native Cha'Hua chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Chahua) in the Yucatan Peninsula
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Keywords
capsaicin, horticulture, Capsicum annuum, native crop, hydroponics
Abstract
Objective: To characterize morphologically Cha'hua chile (Capsicum annuum L.), a native variety from the Yucatan Peninsula.
Design/methodology/approach: Seeds collected from Cha'hua chile in the state of Yucatan were sown in 200-cavity polystyrene trays. After transplanting, the plants were placed in hydroponic bags to be morphologically characterized using the descriptor for the genus Capsicum of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI).
Results: The plant was 118 cm high and 34.8 cm wide, with white flowers and light green flowers in early stage and red fruits at maturity, 7.42 and 2.32 cm long and wide, respectively. It showed tolerance to virosis caused by whitefly. A total of 10.10 mg g-1 capsaicin and 3.03 mg g-1 dihydrocapsaicin were determined.
Study limitations/implications: Morphologically characterizes the Cha'hua variety, will generate knowledge to better understand how to adapt the variety to larger scale production systems.
Findings/conclusions: Plant with morphological characteristics susceptible to be genetically improved for commercial exploitation, given its market acceptance as fresh and dried fruit, supported by market prices.