Protecting vegetable cultivars in Brazil: a chili pepper case-study research

Resumo

In Brazil, for a new plant variety to be assured protection, trials are required for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS). These trials are carried out to fulfill the requirements of member countries of the UPOV (Union Internacionale pour la Protection das Obtentions Vegetables). DUS testing for Capsicum spp. is based on 48 descriptors, which involve qualitative and quantitative traits, observed from germination to fruit harvest. This paper describes the performance of DUS tests on lines of chili peppers, which are candidates for protection; we discuss the main aspects related to operational difficulties, the relevance of some descriptors for the protection process and highlight the importance of protecting new plant varieties as national intellectual property. Four C. annuum var. annuum recombinant inbred lines were tested. The Capsicum Breeding Program of the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF) developed the lines, which are resistant to bacterial spot. They were tested under greenhouse conditions from June to November of 2013; and from January to July of 2014 in Campos dos Goytacazes – RJ, Brazil. The ‘Jalapeño-M’ commercial genotype was used as control and treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with seven plants per plot with five replications. Besides the 48 descriptors, stipulated by legislation for Capsicum DUS testing, we included a descriptor for bacterial spot resistance. The descriptors that enabled distinction varied with each line. Although being distinctive for some descriptors, L1 and L2 lines were neither homogeneous nor stable. L6 and L8 strains were characterized by homogeneity and stability. Fruit shape, capsaicin presence, number of days for flowering and bacterial spot resistance were descriptors that allowed for differentiation between treatments.  In conclusion, the L6 and L8 strains met the DUS test requirements; therefore, they may be subjected to the protection process with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.