Assessment of morphological variability and chemical composition of some local pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) populations on the area of Kosovo

Abstract

Seven local pepper populations (Capsicum annuum L.) from different geographical regions of Kosovo, were evaluated for morphological traits, chemical composition, and antioxidant contents using standard analytical techniques. All local peppers populations were characterized for different morphological traits from seedling emergence to crop maturity. The total genetic variation for plant height (PH) was 11.72 cm or expressed in relative values was 27.94 %. Average of leaf area (LA) per plant was 2308.38 cm2, while the lowest value for LA was 1136 cm2. Yield per plant ranged from 265 to 691 g plant-1. The acidity level was ranging from 1.44 to 1.61 %, carbohydrates varied greatly from 4.21 to 6.07 %. Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) content in fresh fruit ranged from 65.544 to 520.51 mg 100g-1 of fresh mass. Minerals were of reasonable levels with Fe (15.31 mg kg-1), Ca (216.71 mg kg-1), Na (406.01 mg kg-1), K (1851 mg kg-1), and Zn (5.74 mg kg-1).

Keywords

• Capsicum annuum L.
• genetic diversity
• antioxidant content
• mineral composition