Performance of sweet chili pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) landraces in three agricultural zones of Puerto Rico

Capsicum chinense is a small aromatic pepper native to the Amazon and widely used in Caribbean Basin. Most types of C. are highly pungent, but landraces Puerto Rico generally have little or no pungency. This “sweet chili pepper” (or ají dulce, as it known on Island) an integral part local cuisine. Ten sweet lines derived from non-pungent were evaluated Lajas, Juana Díaz Corozal, Rico, 2009. The represented diversity fruit common Island. Plants grew about twice height those Lajas Corozal. Fruit yield varied 809 g/plant 1,420 Díaz. Planting density (number plants per hectare) was greater at Corozal compared other two locations, resulting hectare similar that (10,210 kg/ha Díaz; 10,112 Corozal). Yield much lower (6,400 kg/ha). Average weight greatest (12.1 g) lowest (10.0 g). Plant 11 weeks weakly correlated (r = 0.33) with yield. infected by least one three genera viruses, Cucumovirus, Tobamovirus Potyvirus, found each location. Seed 500 seeds averaged 2.34 g. average produced 23 seeds. Genotype x environment (GxE) interaction (= line location) significant for height, number yield, not weight. Because GxE interaction, best performing varied, depending presence presents challenges breeding program. Although may be difficult develop cultivars perform equally well over diverse environments, improved virus resistance should result increased production. More research needed better understand impact variation planting has yields.