Characterization of a Capsicum annuum L. of a germplasm collection

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was introduced in Italy in the early sixteenth century and was widely grown in different soil and climatic conditions, coltural and cultural practices carrying to the constitution of different agroecotypes, adapted to different environments and different in their morphology and use of the berries. The Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, CNR-Bari, set up at the Operative Unit in Policoro (MT) a collection of genetic material collected in several towns in the inland areas of Basilicata Region, characterized by a high level of agrobiodiversity. The study was conducted on morphological, agronomic and biochemical characterization of 37 ecotypes of pepper. During the entire productive cycle of the plants were studied several characters related to the characteristics of the plant, flowers and fruits. On the whole the studied ecotypes showed wide genetic variability for most of the morphological traits: wall thickness of the berries, vitamin C content, soluble solids content, length, width and all characters resulted influenced by genotype, as well as by environment, growing season and agricultural practices adopted. The present work constitutes a further contribution to the study of local biodiversity and the enhancement of functional components that are increasingly identified in these species and may represent a useful tool for genetic improvement programs of the crop.