Possibility of Use of Romanian Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) Local Landraces in Breeding Process

Abstract

For breeding new varieties, local germoplasm can constitute a gene reservoir that is still unused. The study concerned 29 local populations collected from the counties of Timis, Arad, Bihor, which were compared with Cristalvariety. The main morphological characters, components of production capacity, concerning variability and existing correlations, were followed. 4 populations with significantly bigger fruits than the control varieties, were observed. Compared with Cristalvariety, three populations have a very significantly bigger number of fruit per plant: Satchinez, Siria, Girisu de Cris. The yield of fruit per plant is superior for many of the collection population: Satchinez ,Temeresti I, Siria, Girisude Cris, Fizis, Tomnatic and Vinga. The study indicate positive correlation between fruit weight/plant and fruits diameter and weight. However, about 80% of the fruit diameter variability is due to the influence of other characters. The correlation between fruit diameter and fruit weight/plant is not significant. Depending of the path coefficients, it was found that the number of fruit per plant shows a very tight correlation with fruit yield, and that there are considerable indirect influence on the correlation between fruit production and fruit diameter, fruit weight respectively. The established dendrogram shows that there is an obvious diversity between the populations that were collected from the same locality. Bidimensional diagram shows that Temeresti I and Fizis populations have the fruits of the highest length, diameter and weight, and Satchinez, Siria, Girisu de Cris populations have the highest number of fruits and the highest weight of fruit per plant.