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Cytogenetics in Capsicum L.

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Production and Breeding of Chilli Peppers (Capsicum spp.)

Abstract

Capsicum is native to the New World and comprises 33–34 species, five of them domesticated. Studies with domesticated and wild species using cytogenetic methodologies have helped to understand the genetic relationships among them. In general, interspecific crosses are associated with genomic homologies between species and genetic gains could be obtained by desirable gene introgressions. In this sense, extending the knowledge about intra- and interspecific genetic variability, the genomic organization, and evolution in Capsicum could be very useful in plant breeding programs. Many chromosome markers have been developed, generating more refined and detailed Capsicum karyotypes. Association of classical staining, densitometry, CMA/DAPI banding, flow cytometry, and fluorescent in situ hybridization have allowed confirming or reviewing previous taxa, sometimes delicately constructed. All Capsicum species are diploid but two groups with distinct chromosome numbers are formed: with 2n = 24 and with 2n = 26. Two possible genome evolution lines are supposed to the genus, but the origin of the thirteenth chromosome is not well-defined. This chapter is a review of classical and modern cytogenetic methodologies applied in Capsicum since 1930. The main results and inferences about phylogenetic relationships in the genus are presented, although many questions are still unanswered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Nacional do Semiárido, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil

    Fabiane Rabelo da Costa Batista

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  1. Fabiane Rabelo da Costa Batista
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Correspondence to Fabiane Rabelo da Costa Batista .

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da Costa Batista, F.R. (2016). Cytogenetics in Capsicum L.. In: Production and Breeding of Chilli Peppers (Capsicum spp.). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06532-8_3

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