New pepper lines selected for resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Abstract

Each year pepper production suffers great losses due to the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV). Selecting and growing pepper varieties resistant to TMV is one of the most significant and successful methods in preventing TMV infection. Since all our pepper varieties and populations are more or less susceptible to TMV, the aim of this research was to create, using selection, new pepper lines and varieties which possess both good agro-botanical characteristics and resistance to TMV. Consequently, we carried out the selection on pepper resistance to 2 strains of TMV: M-5 and P-l 1. The following parental components were chosen for the selection. Yolo Wonder variety, carrying L gene, was used as the donor for resistance to M-5 strain. The following were used as the donors for resistance to P-l 1 strain of TMV: 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, 10/6 genotypes of Capsicum chinense species, all of them carrying L2L2 genes. The following varieties were used as receptors: Zlatna medalja, Niška šipka, Šorokšari, Al-12, Kobra, Beli kalvil and Prima. Applying crossing to the chosen genotypes, back crossing with their recurrent parents and their self-pollination, in F1 generation we selected pepper lines with a high level of homozygosity concerning resistance to TMV and with good agro-technological features. This paper will show the characteristics of these lines.