Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 8(2): 660-667 (June 2017) ISSN 0975-928X http://ejplantbreeding.com 660 DOI: 10.5958/0975-928X.2017.00100.4 Research Note Taxonomic diversity of cultivated Capsicum genotypes of India Sharmila Dutta Deka Principal Scientist, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, E-mail: sharmila9368@gmail.com (Received: 15 Nov 2016; Revised: 24 May 2017; Accepted: 30 May 2017) Abstract Germplasm characterization is an important link between the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. Genetic diversity within and between crops is a major requirement for plant breeders. For description of plant genetic recourses the choice of characteristics is crucial. In the present study 60 cultivated Capsicum annum varieties collected from different parts of India and their divergence and similarities were recorded for 35taxonomic traits. Variability for the 35 morpho physiological traits was evident .Traits suitable for identification and grouping of the Capsicum genotypes has been identified. Traits with variable phenotypic classes giving stable expression were -seedling- anthocyanin coloration of hypocotyl, plant shortened internodes (in upper part), anthocianin coloration of the nodes, varieties with shortened internodes, leaf shape and blistering, anthocianin coloration of anther, fruit color before maturity, fruit shape in longitudinal section, fruit attitude, peduncle attitude, shape of apex of the fruit and fruit colour at maturity. Key words Capsicum, taxonomy, characterization, diversity, morphological grouping Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is a member of the Solanaceae family, originated from South and Central America. It is one of the most important spice crop worldwide, with a global production 30.71 lakh tonnes and 20.378 lakh ha area harvested, in 2010-11. In India chilli ranked first in spice crops in terms of production (12.23 lakh tonnes) and area harvested (7.92 lakh ha), in the year 2010-11 (FAOSTAT, 2011). Chilli is grown for its pungent fruits, which are used both green, ripe and dry form. The genus Capsicum consists of about 25 wild and 5 domesticated species (IBPGR 1995; Bosland and Votava, 2000). The five domesticated species of this family are Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. baccatum and C. pubescens (Pickersgill, 1997). Three of the species, C. annuum, C. chinense and C. frutescens, form an overlapping complex with a common ancestral gene pool (Pickersgill et al. 1979). Species derived from this gene pool are based largely on flower color, calyx constriction, and the number of flowers per node. Nevertheless, unambiguous species designation, among C. annuum, C. frutescens, and C. chinense using morphological descriptors is difficult since many exceptions to general taxonomic identification exist (Pickersgill et al. 1979). The plant varieties must fulfill the distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS) criteria for protection under the Act and hence, there is a need to characterize varieties according to standard test guidelines. Variety characterization and identification serves important goals, such as mitigating legal claims and confirming intellectual property rights and maintenance of genetic purity. The morphological markers are the most common and considered as the first step in description and classification of germplasm .Use of morphological descriptors in sequential fashion is useful and convenient to discriminate the different varieties. Among morphological characters, Martinello et al (2001) observed a better discrimination power of the quantitative morphological characters compared to qualitative characters in okra genotypes but in major studies qualitative monogenic traits are found to be more reliable as they are least influenced by environmental factors. Diversity in plant genetic resources provides opportunity for plant breeders to develop new and improved cultivars with desirable characteristics. Since plant breeding and cultivar development are integral components of improving food production, therefore, availability of and access to diverse genetic sources will ensure that the global food production network becomes more sustainable. The cultivated pepper is known to possess very little genetic diversity. However, some authors have pointed out that it does not seem to be as narrow as for some other crops (Heiser, 1985). The present investigation was undertaken with the objective to study the plant taxonomy of cultivated Capsicum annum varieties collected from different parts of India and their divergence and similarities for taxonomic traits. . The experimental material consisted of 60 land races of Capsicum annum collected from different parts of India and given accession number as SSTC-1 to SSTC-60 .The genotypes were raised during kharif seasons of 2008 and 2009 at the Center for Protected Cultivation and Technology IARI. The material was replicated thrice and all the agronomic practices were followed to raise a good crop.