Morphological diversity and entropy of peppers (Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum chinense, Solanaceae)

The Capsicum peppers are consumed worldwide for diverse uses, but mainly as food due pungency of fruits responsible for heat sensation. Peppers were one of the first domesticated species in the western hemisphere. There is a great genetic diversity among species of Capsicum genus, even as the genetic variability within each species. The characterization is essential for the maintenance and preservation of genetic resources favoring genotypes availability for immediate or future use. The aim of this work was to perform morphological characterization, genetic divergence evaluation of peppers accessions (Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum chinense, Solanaceae) and estimate the entropy of descriptors. The evaluation occurred by analysis of 21 accessions from the Capsicum Genebank of Embrapa Temperate Agriculture. 47 qualitative descriptors were employed for morphological characterization. Qualitative data were statistically analyzed by hierarchical clustering UPGMA and Tocher method. The entropy level of characters (H) was estimated by Renyi entropy coeficiente. Morphological descriptors were efficient to characterize the accessions. There is genetic diversity for C. baccatum and C. chinense accessions evaluated. The UPGMA and Tocher grouping methods partially agree to formation of groups. The descriptors with highest entropy values were flower position, stigma exsertion, colour of fruit at mature stage, pungency, plant height and fruit shape. Stem shape, leaf shape, placenta length and seed colour presented the lowest entropy values.