LA DIVERSIDAD MORFOLÓGICA in situ DE CHILES SILVESTRES (Capsicum spp.) DE TABASCO, MÉXICO

Abstract

<jats:p>En el estado de Tabasco, México se pueden encontrar plantas de chile (Capsicum spp.) de forma silvestre que se diferencian por sus características morfológicas. Con el objetivo de recolectar y evaluar in situ la diversidad morfológica de chiles silvestres, de enero a septiembre de 2013 se realizó la exploración de 48 comunidades en 14 municipios del estado de Tabasco. Durante la exploración se recolectaron y tomaron datos de variables de planta, flor y fruto de 89 colectas. Se encontró la presencia de las especies C. annuum var. glabriusculum en los morfotipos ‘Amashito’, ‘Ojo de cangrejo’ y ‘Garbanzo’; y C. frutescens L. en el morfotipo ‘Pico paloma’. El análisis de componentes principales y de conglomerados con las 12 variables relevantes, diferenciaron a las colectas en dos grupos, los cuales se formaron con base en variables de fruto y de hoja. El primer grupo se formó con las 43 colectas de C. annuum var. glabriusculum que se caracterizan por tener frutos de forma redonda, corola pequeña de color blanco y una flor por nudo; el segundo grupo se formó con 46 colectas de C. frutescens L. que se caracterizan por tener frutos alargados, corola de color blanca verdosa y de dos a tres flores por nudo. Al interior de los grupos también se presentó una diferencia gradual y continua de las variables, lo que permitió formar subgrupos. En los chiles silvestres del Estado de Tabasco se encuentra diversidad morfológica, recurso genético valioso que debe conservarse.</jats:p>

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

“…PC1 explained 35.8% of total morphological variation, which was positively determined by the variables fruit shape, fruit shape at the juncture with the pedicel and fruit apex shape, and negatively by the variables fruit length and fruit weight. This indicates that the component was determined by fruit variables, which is consistent with previous studies on the morphological diversity of wild peppers, in which it was reported that the first component was explained by fruit variables (Narez-Jiménez et al, 2014). PC2 explained 17.1% of total morphological variability, with the variables stem diameter, plant height, plant width, leaf color, leaf length, leaf width, fruit length, fruit width and number of seeds per fruit being the variables that contributed most to the explanation of the component.…”

“…The first group was formed by 71 collections that have fruits of lower weight, a round shape and a blunt or sunken apex, while the second group was formed by 60 collections, which are located in the negative quadrant of PC1 and are distributed in the positive and negative quadrant of PC2; this group was formed by collections that have fruits of greater weight, an elongated shape and a pointy fruit apex. In this regard, Castañón-Nájera et al (2008) and Narez-Jiménez et al (2014) report that the state of Tabasco has wild pepper morphotypes characterized by round and pointy fruits. In millimeters (mm) with a digital Vernier caliper graduated in mm.…”

“…The exploration sites were selected based on studies carried out by Castañón-Nájera et al (2008) and Narez-Jiménez et al (2014), and information on collection dates and sites provided by the wild pepper sellers in the markets of the explored municipalities. The collections were carried out from January to November 2015 through walks along paths and visits to orchards, paddocks, and banana and cocoa ecosystems in 54 localities in the municipalities of Balancán, Cárdenas, Centla, Centro, Comalcalco, Cunduacán, Emiliano Zapata, Huimanguillo, Jalapa, Jalpa de Méndez, Macuspana, Nacajuca, Tacotalpa, Teapa and Tenosique in the state of Tabasco, Mexico.…”

“…The fruits of the morphotypes 'Amashito', 'Garbanzo' and 'Ojo de cangrejo' are mainly characterized by having roundshaped fruits, a characteristics that according to Andrews (1995), Mogkolporn and Taylor (2011), Bosland and Votava (2012), Kraft et al (2013) and Hayano-Kanashiro et al (2016) is one of the main traits presented by the species Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum, while the morphotype 'Pico de paloma' has elongated, pointyshaped fruits, a characteristic that according to Andrews (1995), Hernández-Verdugo et al (1999) and Kraft et al (2013) is shared by the wild fruits of the species Capsicum frutescens L. On this, Hernández-Verdugo et al, (1999), Castañón-Nájera et al (2008 and Narez-Jiménez et al (2014) reported the presence in the state of Tabasco of wild populations of the species C. annuum var. glabriusculum and C. frutescens L., with morphological and genetic variability.…”

“…glabriusculum and C. frutescens, which show morphological and genetic variability, can be found (Castañón-Nájera et al, 2008). This is a valuable resource that is at risk of being lost due to adverse factors such as habitat destruction, hurricanes, floods and droughts (Narez-Jiménez et al, 2014). Therefore, it is necessary to collect and characterize the diversity of wild peppers in order to know their characteristics and to conserve this resource for the breeding of cultivated peppers (Hayano-Kanashiro et al, 2016).…”