Defining The Genetic And Physiological Mechanisms Regulating Fruit Size In Pepper

Our understanding of the development of fruit and its association to productivity is limited to whole fruit observations in segregating populations, yielding the isolation of six genes in tomato mainly associated with fruit shape. Although these genes have not been associated with yield in tomato, several fruit QTL are associated with yield in pepper. We have developed a series of populations to understand the relationship between fruit size and yield in pepper. We have identified consistent QTL across five genetic populations and diversifying selection in breeding germplasm. We are in the process of studying the developmental processes and genetic loci affecting fruit shape and size in pepper.  Preliminary results indicate that pepper may have unique developmental pathways that were not previously reported in Solanaceae to explain the extensive variation found in Capsicum species.