Evolution of Chilli Pepper Breeding: From Conventional Methods to Cutting-Edge Genetic Improvements

Abstract

Chilli pepper is an important spice crop, with high medicinal and culinary properties along with high levels of vitamins and antioxidants. Both conventional and non-conventional breeding methods have been adopted for the development of promising cultivars and varieties of chilli worldwide. Varieties like CO 3 and CO 4 were introduced from Sri Lanka to India. Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru has adopted mass selection to develop varieties like Arka Basant and Arka Mohini. Arka Abhir and Arka Lohit are pureline selections from Dyavanur Dubba and IIHR 324 respectively. Jwalamukhi and Jwalasakhi are the popular hybrids in Kerala, developed through hybridisation and selection. Marker assisted backcrossing helped in introgressing a heat tolerant Hsp gene, from AVPP0702 (donor) into chilli variety Kulai, making it heat tolerant.  Bhut Jolokia, once considered to be the world’s hottest chilli, is an interspecific hybrid between Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens. Mutation breeding in K-1 chilli variety lead to the development of variety MDU-1. A widely cultivated variety in West Bengal, Dalle Khursani was characterised and identified to be a naturally occurring polyploid in 2017.  Adoption of tissue culture techniques, especially anther culture, has helped in the development of purelines in chilli. The transcription factor dreb1A was transformed into a local chilli cultivar, G4 to impart drought tolerance in the cultivar. wAnthracnose resistance in chilli was mediated in chilli by editing NAC 72 gene locus through CRISPR/Cas9 mediated cytidine base editing system. An integrated breeding strategy that combines the broad variability and farmer acceptance of conventional methods with the precision and speed of modern molecular tools is considered the most effective pathway for future chilli improvement programs. Such a combined approach can accelerate the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient chilli varieties suitable for diverse agro-ecological conditions.