Abstract

In this study we used introgression lines of Capsicum annuum to fine map the location of the traits in the chromosome responsible for fruit production, fruit development and fruit ripening. To identify specific regions of the genome for the measurable traits for production, development and ripening in pepper required further investigation using the introgression line approach. Forty-one introgression lines of pepper (C. annum) were used to map the QTLs for fruit production, fruit development and fruit ripening in chromosomes. The traits were evaluated in two glasshouses each with single and double culture cycles. The results confirmed our earlier results that the QTLs for fruit ripening were located at 75 - 100 cM in chromosome 4 and 0 - 100 cM in chromosome 8; QTLs for fruit production at 0 - 100 cM on chromosome 2; QTLs for fruit development at 0 - 50 cM on the chromosome 2 and 0 - 65 cM on chromosome 3. Genotype IL14 had a combination of small and large segments from chromosomes 7 and 10 suggesting that two QTLs were likely involved in the fruit ripening. Statistical analysis was done using genstat Software package. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found in in some of the lines for the traits tested.

Key words: Capsicum annuum, complex trait, mapping, chromosome, production, development, ripening, introgression lines.