Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Brazilian Capsicum Germplasm

Population growth and the high demand for food production has caused environmental degradation losses in biodiversity. The conservation of genetic resources is most appropriate strategy maintaining variability species great importance, such as Capsicum. In this study, we describe characterization 69 pepper accessions four Capsicum from different regions Brazil on basis qualitative quantitative descriptors ISSR markers. 11 grouped populations into five clades. fruit traits had greater discrimination power. A strong correlation was detected between some pairs descriptors: petiole length, diameter fresh mass, leaf length width, canopy plant height, stem diameter. negative also observed height pericarp thickness. Moreover, molecular analysis morpho-agronomic were efficient to estimate diversity accessions, being important tools knowledge use accessions. This study importance preserve germplasm provide data facilitate process selection breeding programs.