Creation and evaluation of valuable tools for pepper breeding through induced mutagenes

Advances of plant molecular biology and screening techniques integrated with the mutation technologies allowed to study and utilize better the potentialities of mutation lines. Application of X-rays, Co⁶⁰ and EMS in pepper breeding programmes contributed to create mutants with applied value: increased β-carotene level in fruit, male sterility, anthocyaninlessness, determinant habit, changes of fruit shape and position. RILs were developed and different mutant genes were combined in the same genotypes. Mutants demonstrated a potential toward to boosted β-carotene levels in different crosses and were selected to be exploited as good donors for development of hybrids. Dramatically increased carotene content was assessed in some of the created F₁ hybrids. Obtained results from the cytological, biochemical and physiological studies of carotenoid levels, β-carotene hydroxylase enzyme activity, chlorophylls, observation of the phenotype of plants and fruit suggested breeding to exploit different mutant lines. Molecular study allowed us to establish a marker for high β- carotene useful for MAS. The created and investigated pepper mutant material was assessed as a valuable human food according to the new market requirements. (author)