Meiotic behavior in accessions of Capsicum chinense Jacq. from the Embrapa Germplasm Bank, Brazil

Abstract

Studies on intraspecific sterility and stability are fundamental to the conservation and selection of the most promising genotypes to Embrapa’s Capsicum breeding program. The aim of this study was to identify potentially fertile genotypes for incorporation into breeding programs. Six accessions of chili pepper (C. chinense) belonging to Embrapa’s Active Bank of Capsicum Germplasm were cytologically analyzed. We observed a low frequency of meiotic abnormalities in most accessions, which are potentially suitable for use in the program, except for CNPH 4327, which showed 41.15% of compromised cells. This fact was reinforced by the low meiotic index and pollen viability showed by this accession. In general, pollen viability was correlated with meiotic abnormalities. Thus, the differences between the accessions indicate that pollen viability is affected by the genotype, but may also be influenced to some extent by the pollen grain maturation stage as well as by environmental factors.