Characterization and Identification of Chili Pepper Accessions with Tolerance to Biotic Stress for Sustainable Agriculture

Saadah, Imas Rita; Gunaeni, Neni; Setiawati, Wiwin -; Kirana, Rinda -; Korlina, Eli -; Moekasan, Tonny Koestoni; Diningsih, Erniwati -; Sulastrini, Ineu -; Udiarto, Bagus Kukuh; Murtiningsih, Rini -; Karjadi, Asih Kartasih; Suryadi, Yadi -; -, Wartono -

doi:10.22059/ijhst.2025.399132.1156

Characterization and Identification of Chili Pepper Accessions with Tolerance to Biotic Stress for Sustainable Agriculture

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

Imas Rita Saadah ¹

Neni Gunaeni ²

Wiwin - Setiawati ¹

Rinda - Kirana ¹

Eli - Korlina ¹

Tonny Koestoni Moekasan ¹

Erniwati - Diningsih ¹

Ineu - Sulastrini ¹

Bagus Kukuh Udiarto ¹

Rini - Murtiningsih ¹

Asih Kartasih Karjadi ¹

Yadi - Suryadi ¹

Wartono - - ¹

¹ Research Centre of Horticulture, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, KM 46, Cibinong, West Java 16911, Indonesia

² Research Center for Horticulture, National Research and Innovation Agency

10.22059/ijhst.2025.399132.1156

Abstract

Chili peppers worldwide are severely affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses, leading to substantial yield losses. The heavy reliance on chemical pesticides poses environmental risks and has proven ineffective, particularly in controlling vectors that transmit viral diseases. Therefore, sustainable chili pepper production necessitates urgent efforts to develop biotic stress-resistant cultivars. This study aimed to identify valuable genetic material and introduce resistance genes against insects, fungal pathogens, and viral diseases into commercial cultivars. From July 2022 to February 2023, five accessions and four varieties of chili pepper were screened for broad-spectrum resistance under field conditions at the Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute. The result indicated that accessions 5x1, 5x2, 2x5, and 4x5, and the varieties Carla Agrihorti, Hot Beauty, Inata Agrihorti, and Pilar exhibited resistance to various stresses. Conversely, accession 2x1 was classified as moderately resistant, displaying reduced feeding damage. Accession 2x5 was identified as resistant to oriental fruit flies. Anatomical traits, such as fruit weight, pedicel length, fruit diameter, fruit locule number, and pericarp thickness, were crucial in the resistance mechanism against fruit flies. Additionally, accessions 5x1, 2x1, 2x5, and 4x5 demonstrated resistance to anthracnose. The highest fruit yield was recorded for the varieties Carla Agrihorti, Inata Agrihorti, and Hot Beauty, while accessions 2x5 and 5x1 provide valuable genetic resources for breeding and high yield, thus enhancing the sustainability of chili pepper production in the face of ongoing biotic challenges.

Keywords

Chili pepper

biotic stress

tolerance

genetic resources

sustainable agriculture