Morphological variation of wild peppers (Capsicum spp.) from the state of Tabasco, Mexico

The pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most important vegetables in Mexico. The aim of this study was to collect wild peppers and characterize in situ their morphological diversity. From January to November 2015, field trips were made to 54 locations in 15 municipalities in the state of Tabasco, Mexico; 131 collections were obtained in which a total of 23 plant, flower and fruit variables were evaluated. With the mean values of the variables, principal component (PC) and cluster analyses were performed. The first three PCs explained 65.2% of total morphological variability, with the variables fruit length, fruit shape, fruit width, leaf width, leaf length, plant height and branch density providing a greater explanation for the diversity. Cluster analysis grouped the 131 collections into two groups, one formed by the morphotypes 'Amashito', 'Garbanzo' and 'Ojo de cangrejo', with characteristics of C. annuum var. Glabriusculum, and the second group with the morphotype 'Pico de paloma' with characteristics of the species C. frutescens L. It is concluded that the wild peppers of the State of Tabasco have morphological diversity, which must be preserved as a genetic resource of interest.