Genotype by Environment Interaction and Selection for Ethylene Insensitivity in Ornamental Pepper Elite Lines (Capsicum annuum L.)

Capsicum species are important ornamental plants used as potted plants. Exposure to ethylene causes chlorophyll degradation and leaf and fruit abscission in ornamental peppers, resulting in a loss of their commercial value. The aim of this study was to evaluate pepper elite lines (C. annuum L.) to select ethylene-insensitive individuals with phenotypic stability. The experimental design used was entirely randomized, with 40 treatments × 3 days and ×2 years, following a split-split plot arrangement. The evaluated variables were leaves and fruit abscission, and chlorophyll a and b loss, expressed in percentages. The data were subjected to analysis of variance. The means were grouped by Scott–Knott criteria (p ≤ 0.01). Correlation and heritability were also estimated. The treatments were grouped using the Tocher method based on Mahalanobis-D2 distance. A selection index was applied on lower genetic values for all evaluated variables. Through two-year replicated experiments, 12 ethylene-insensitive and phenotypically stable elite lines were identified and can be registered as new ethylene-insensitive cultivars. This fact confirms the efficiency of the selection applied along the years of breeding ethylene-insensitive lines using the pedigree method. Consequently, these elite lines are key genetic resources and suitable crossing material for breeding to improve the vase life of ornamental peppers.