No abstract

Jalapeño pepper breeding (Capsicum annuum L.) The pepper (Capsicum spp.) stands out as one of the most important crops worldwide due to its culinary, industrial, ornamental versatility and, also, for its medicinal properties. In Brazil, Capsicum pepper development is still too incipient and there are few genetic improvement research. Thus, the present work aimed to identify, based on quantitative and qualitative descriptors, potential lines for use in Jalapeño pepper breeding programs, as well as to develop outstanding hybrids for fresh and processed pepper market. For this, the thesis was divided into two chapters. Chapter 1: Morpho-agronomic characterization of Jalapeño pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) lines and Chapter 2: Agronomic performance and heterosis in Jalapeño pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrids.