Assessment of phenotypic divergence and hybrid development in ornamental peppers (Capsicum spp.)

Peppers (Capsicum spp.) have high phenotypic diversity, particularly in terms of color, size, and shape. The morphological diversity associated with the small quantity of peppers available in the market has encouraged breeding programs to characterize, select, and obtain hybrids for ornamental purposes. In view of this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the dissimilarity between pepper accessions with ornamental potential, coming from the Capsicum Collection of the Federal University of Piauí (BGC-UFPI), and to carry out biparental crosses for the development of commercial F₁ hybrids. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design. Thirteen BGC-UFPI accessions were characterized based on 32 traits: 12 quantitative and 20 qualitative. The genetic divergence of the accessions was estimated based on the grouping of means and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrograms. Accessions BGC-UFPI 199, BGC-UFPI 203, and BGC-UFPI 258 presented favorable aesthetic aspects for starting an ornamental pepper-breeding program. Based on the results of genetic divergence, nine accessions were selected as parents for the development of nine hybrids, which were analyzed based on heterosis and heterobeltiosis. The hybrids exhibited promising aesthetic aspects that were superior to those of their parents. Hence, our results are important for advancing pepper breeding programs and offer an opportunity to explore the best hybrids to meet the demands of the ornamental plant market.