Shifts in Plant Chemical Defenses of Chile Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Due to Domestication in Mesoamerica

Abstract

different cultural uses, cropping systems and ecogeographic regions. While most studies of plant domestication processes focus on morphological changes that confer greater utility or productivity in human-managed environments, we conclude that changes in the chemical ecology of a useful plant can be of paramount importance to their cultivators. The genus Capsicum can therefore provide an unprecedented opportunity to compare the roles of SMs in wild plants grown in natural Neotropical ecosystems with their domesticated relatives in the milpa agro-ecosystems of Mesoamerica. Even with the current depth of knowledge available for crop species in the genus Capsicum and Solanum, our understanding of how particular SMs affect the reproduction and survival of wild vs. domesticated solanaceous plants remains in its infancy.

Modelled distributions and conservation status of the wild relatives of chile peppers (CapsicumL.)

“…Domesticated forms of chile peppers, as well as human dispersal of the fruits within the Americas, including to parts of the Caribbean, have been documented from at least 6,000 years ago (Jarrett et al, ; Perry et al, ; Perry & Flannery, ; Pickersgill, , ; Walsh & Hoot, ). Originally used primarily for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, chile peppers became an important spice and vegetable for diverse Indigenous peoples (Bosland & Votava, ; Luna‐Ruiz, Nabhan, & Aguilar‐Meléndez, ; Smith, ).…”

Variability in the Phytochemical Contents and Free Radical‐Scavenging Capacity of Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum (Wild Piquin Chili)

“…Compound samples of fruits of C. annuum var. glabriusculum ( Dunal ) Heiser & Pickersgill ) were collected from wild populations located between 23°00′60′′ and 23°58′33′′ N latitude, and between 97°51′27′′ and 99°33′03′′ W longitude in Tamaulipas, Mexico, a site considered as part of the primary phylogeographic area of C. annuum . The elevation ranged between 17 and 1400 m above sea level in the four geographical areas of Tamaulipas: central (Ct), coastline (Co), plateau (P) and south (S).…”

“…glabriusculum (DUNAL) HEISER & PICKERSGILL) were collected from wild populations located between 23°00'60'' and 23°58'33'' N latitude, and between 97°51'27'' and 99°33'03'' W longitude in Tamaulipas, Mexico, a site considered as part of the primary phylogeographic area of C. annuum. [44,45] The elevation ranged between 17 and 1400 m above sea level in the four geographical areas of Tamaulipas: central (Ct), coastline (Co), plateau (P) and south (S). Within these areas, 16 geographical sites were sampled to obtain each population of wild Piquin chili ( Table 3).…”

Trans Situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives

“…The (Tewksbury et al, 1999), biotic interactions (Tewksbury et al, 1999;Tewksbury and Nabhan, 2001;Carlo et al, 2009;Carlo and Tewksbury, 2014), chemical defenses (Luna-Ruiz et al, 2018), and genetic diversity (Votava et al, 2002). We synthesized this work, highlighting the benefits gained from a trans situ conservation approach.…”

“…Studies of bird, micro-moth, and fungal attraction and small mammal aversion to chile fruits demonstrated how secondary compounds such as pyrazines and capsaicinoids favor efficient seed dispersers while repelling seed predators (Tewksbury et al, 2008;Schulze and Spiteller, 2009). Each population of wild chile may be selecting for a different mix and potency of these secondary chemicals, depending on the frequency and intensity of visits by the species they are trying to attract and repel (Tewksbury et al, 2008;Schulze and Spiteller, 2009;Luna-Ruiz et al, 2018). Such knowledge could guide use of wild chiles in not only plant breeding, but also integrated pest management.…”