Investigation of phenological and morphological properties of local pepper gene sources and phenotyping in terms of cold tolrance

This work investigated study, 32 pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes with 23 local gene sources and 9 commercial varieties in terms of phenological and morphological observations and cold tolerance. Local pepper gene resources are obtained from the different locations of the provinces and counties located in the western region of Turkey. Due to lack of germination in 6 local genotypes, 26 genotypes were studied At seedling stage, temperature was gradually reduced from 25˚C to 5˚C, and cold damage was determined by testing seedlings at 5˚C for 24 hours. Seedlings were then transplanted to soil in greenhouse conditions. Plant growth was monitored, phenological and morphological observations were made by UPOV and IPGRI criteria. The SSPs statistical program was used to analyze the data. Genotypes are divided into 6 groups and multiple subgroups in each group. It can be said that there is variation between these groups and the genotypes studied. Some local pepper genotypes were superior to commercial cultivars in terms of phenological and morphological properties and cold tolerance MGL-4 and BRS-23 with low wedge ratio, MNS-18 and AYD-21 local genotypes in terms of productivity are the foreground.