ABSTRACT
Enhancing traits in hot pepper through single cross-hybridization: A study of phenotypic and genotypic changes

Rinda Kirana1*, Karden Mulya1, Puji Lestari1, Dwinita W. Utami1, Kristianto Nugroho1, Rini Rosliani1, Puspita Deswina1, Neni Gunaeni1, Tonny K. Moekasan1, Darkam Musaddad2, Rerenstradika T. Terryana3, Dani Satyawan3, Muhammad Syukur4, Ahmad Faizal5, and Noor R. Ahmadi6
 
The availability of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) hybrid varieties is limited compared to those in chili, bell or sweet pepper hybrid. Heterosis, heterobeltiosis, and reciprocal are critical indicators in F1 hybrids, valuable for developing hybrid varieties. This research aimed to evaluate both phenotypic and genotypic changes in F1 hybrids from single cross-hybridization. The study observed 53 phenotypic characteristics encompassing morphological (plant, leaves, flowers, and fruits), four production-related (fruit weight, fruit number per plant, fruit weight per plant, and yield per hectare), and 10 chemical characteristics (proximate, simple sugar, and secondary metabolite). Genotypic changes were analyzed using ten SSR markers. Employing a randomized complete block design, the study included two parents, F1, and reciprocal F1 hybrids, across four treatments with two replicates each. Phenotypic changes were analyzed using ANOVA and comparison test, while genotypic changes were analyzed through cluster analysis. Result indicated heterosis in 12 characters, heterobeltiosis in eight characters, and reciprocal effects in eight characters. Significant improvements were noted in key characteristics such as plant height, fruit maturity, fruit weight per plant, yield per hectare and vitamin C. Genotypic evaluation revealed distinct genetic differences between F1 and its parents, including the reciprocal F1. These phenotypic and genotypic changes suggest that hot pepper could be more productive and of higher quality when developed as a hybrid variety, indicating promising avenue for future breeding programs.
Keywords: Better-parent heterosis, Euclidean, mid-parent heterosis, Tukey, UPGMA.
1National Research and Innovation Agency, Research Center for Horticultural and Estate Crops, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong 16915, West Java, Indonesia.
2National Research and Innovation Agency, Research Center for Appropriate Technology, Subang 41213, West Java, Indonesia.
3National Research and Innovation Agency, Research Center for Genetic Engineering, Cibinong Science Center Cibinong 16915, West Java, Indonesia.
4Bogor Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia.
5Institut Teknologi Bandung, Plant Science and Biotechnology Research Group, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Bandung 40132, West Java, Indonesia.
6Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesian Institute for Testing of Vegetable Standard Instrument, Lembang 4039, West Bandung, Indonesia.
*Corresponding author (rind005@brin.go.id).