A Pepper PrimerA Pepper PrimerIntroducing the Introducing the CapsicumsCapsicums

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Peppers are members of the genus Capsicum. The first Peppers are members of the genus Capsicum. The first wild Capsicums originated in eastern Bolivia and wild Capsicums originated in eastern Bolivia and southern Brazil. Birds spread seed from these peppers southern Brazil. Birds spread seed from these peppers across the Americas.across the Americas.

Indigenous Americans first domesticated peppers about Indigenous Americans first domesticated peppers about 7,000 years ago. Other wild pepper species were then 7,000 years ago. Other wild pepper species were then independently domesticated at least 4 more times in independently domesticated at least 4 more times in other locations.other locations.

Members of Christopher Columbus’ crew collected pepper Members of Christopher Columbus’ crew collected pepper plants and seeds to bring back to Europe. Wrongly plants and seeds to bring back to Europe. Wrongly believing the plants to be related to black pepper believing the plants to be related to black pepper ((Piper nigrumPiper nigrum), Columbus gave them their common name ), Columbus gave them their common name “pepper.”“pepper.”

Peppers quickly grew in popularity and were spread Peppers quickly grew in popularity and were spread across the world through colonial trade networks. across the world through colonial trade networks.

2,000-3,000 pepper varieties are grown world-wide 2,000-3,000 pepper varieties are grown world-wide today.today.

Pepper Pepper ClassificationClassification

Along with tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant, Along with tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant, peppers are members of the night shade family, peppers are members of the night shade family, solanaceae. solanaceae.

The pepper genus, The pepper genus, CapsicumCapsicum, is named from the , is named from the Greek word “kapto” meaning “to biteGreek word “kapto” meaning “to bite.”.”

There are about 23 different species of peppers, There are about 23 different species of peppers, but only five species contain domesticated but only five species contain domesticated varieties. These five species, varieties. These five species, annuum, chinense, annuum, chinense, frutescens, pubescens, frutescens, pubescens, and and baccatumbaccatum, will be , will be discussed in the following slides. discussed in the following slides.

Capsicum annuumCapsicum annuum

Early Aztec plant breeders Early Aztec plant breeders are credited with are credited with domesticating the domesticating the annuum annuum species in what is now species in what is now Mexico. The peppers were Mexico. The peppers were used for religious, used for religious, culinary, and medicinal culinary, and medicinal purposes.purposes.

By European conquistador By European conquistador Hernán Cortés’ arrival in Hernán Cortés’ arrival in 1519, the Aztecs had 1519, the Aztecs had developed dozens of unique developed dozens of unique annuum annuum cultivars including cultivars including poblanos, jalapeños, poblanos, jalapeños, serranos, and non-pungent serranos, and non-pungent varieties. varieties.

The The annuums annuums are now the are now the most economically most economically important and widely important and widely cultivated species around cultivated species around the world.the world.

Capsicum chinenseCapsicum chinense

Capsicum chinense Capsicum chinense originated originated in the lowland jungles of the in the lowland jungles of the western Amazon basin in western Amazon basin in Brazil.Brazil.

Dutch physician Nikolaus von Dutch physician Nikolaus von Jacquin named the species Jacquin named the species while collecting plant samples while collecting plant samples for Emperor Francis I in 1776.for Emperor Francis I in 1776.

The spiciest peppers found to The spiciest peppers found to date, such as the ‘Scotch date, such as the ‘Scotch Bonnet,’ ‘Red Savina Habanero’ Bonnet,’ ‘Red Savina Habanero’ and ‘Bhut Jolokia’ varieties and ‘Bhut Jolokia’ varieties are all members of the are all members of the chinense chinense species. species.

Chinense Chinense cultivars are cultivars are distinguished by their wrinkly distinguished by their wrinkly leaves. leaves.

Capsicum frutescensCapsicum frutescens

Capsicum frutescens Capsicum frutescens originated in the originated in the western Amazon River western Amazon River basin of Colombia and basin of Colombia and Peru and was Peru and was domesticated in Panama.domesticated in Panama.

Frutescens Frutescens means shrubby means shrubby or bushy, which or bushy, which describes the vigorous describes the vigorous prostrate growth of the prostrate growth of the species.species.

Tabasco is the most Tabasco is the most commonly grown commonly grown frutescens frutescens type outside type outside of the tropics. of the tropics.

Capsicum pubescensCapsicum pubescens

Capsicum pubescens Capsicum pubescens cultivars cultivars are easily identified by are easily identified by their fuzzy leaves and their fuzzy leaves and stems, deep purple flowers, stems, deep purple flowers, and dark colored seeds.and dark colored seeds.

The species likely The species likely originated in the highlands originated in the highlands of Bolivia, where it was of Bolivia, where it was also domesticated.also domesticated.

Pubescens Pubescens varieties, like varieties, like the spicy ‘Rocoto,’ are the spicy ‘Rocoto,’ are adapted to cooler adapted to cooler temperatures and require temperatures and require long growing seasons that long growing seasons that makes them difficult to grow makes them difficult to grow in the U.S. in the U.S.

Capsicum baccatumCapsicum baccatum

Capsicum baccatum Capsicum baccatum is the is the most commonly grown most commonly grown species in South species in South America.America.

The species, whose name The species, whose name means “berry-like” was means “berry-like” was domesticated about 2,500 domesticated about 2,500 years ago in Peru. years ago in Peru.

Pre-Incan civilizations Pre-Incan civilizations began selecting for began selecting for traits in the species traits in the species that laid the foundation that laid the foundation for the modern for the modern ají ají peppers that are grown peppers that are grown in the lowland tropics in the lowland tropics around the Andean around the Andean mountain range today. mountain range today.

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What Makes Peppers What Makes Peppers Hot?Hot?

A pepper’s spiciness is determined by the presence A pepper’s spiciness is determined by the presence of seven alkaline compounds called of seven alkaline compounds called capsaicinoidscapsaicinoids. .

Capsaicinoids Capsaicinoids are likely produced to protect the are likely produced to protect the pepper plants from consumption by mammals.pepper plants from consumption by mammals.

The concentration of The concentration of capsaicinoids capsaicinoids in a pepper is in a pepper is the result of genetics and environmental factors.the result of genetics and environmental factors.

Environmental stress, such as extreme heat and Environmental stress, such as extreme heat and water scarcity, increases the pungency of peppers.water scarcity, increases the pungency of peppers.

Contrary to popular belief, pepper seeds do not Contrary to popular belief, pepper seeds do not containcontain capsaicinoids capsaicinoids. The compounds are actually . The compounds are actually found in the placenta of the fruit, which runs found in the placenta of the fruit, which runs along the base of the seeds like a vein.along the base of the seeds like a vein.

Scoville ScaleScoville Scale

Historically, pepper pungency Historically, pepper pungency has been measured using the has been measured using the Scoville Heat Unit scale. The Scoville Heat Unit scale. The scale relies upon five scale relies upon five trained testers to sample trained testers to sample dilutions of different dilutions of different peppers until the pungency peppers until the pungency can no longer be discerned. can no longer be discerned. That final dilution is the That final dilution is the Scoville Heat Rating for the Scoville Heat Rating for the pepper. pepper.

More advanced forms of More advanced forms of chromatography are now used chromatography are now used to accurately measure the to accurately measure the concentration of concentration of capsaicinoids present, but capsaicinoids present, but the Scoville system is still the Scoville system is still the most popular reference the most popular reference for measuring a pepper’s for measuring a pepper’s spiciness.spiciness.*2

Bhut Jolokia: The Bhut Jolokia: The Hottest Pepper in Hottest Pepper in

the Worldthe WorldIn 2005, researchers at New Mexico State In 2005, researchers at New Mexico State University tested the capsaicinoid levels of the University tested the capsaicinoid levels of the Bhut Jolokia pepper found in Bangladesh and Bhut Jolokia pepper found in Bangladesh and northeastern India. The tests revealed that the northeastern India. The tests revealed that the pepper had enough capsaicinoid to equal 1,001,304 pepper had enough capsaicinoid to equal 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units, making it the hottest pepper Scoville Heat Units, making it the hottest pepper in the world.in the world.

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Quest for the Perfect Quest for the Perfect PepperPepper

Modern plant breeders are carrying on the Modern plant breeders are carrying on the tradition established by the Aztecs of tradition established by the Aztecs of selecting for desirable traits to create new selecting for desirable traits to create new and improved pepper varieties.and improved pepper varieties.

Breeders use advanced techniques to create Breeders use advanced techniques to create DNA maps of different varieties to identify DNA maps of different varieties to identify specific genes that produce traits like specific genes that produce traits like disease tolerance and pungency. disease tolerance and pungency.

The Van Deynze lab at UC Davis is currently The Van Deynze lab at UC Davis is currently working on introducing resistance to the working on introducing resistance to the devastating soil-borne disease caused by the devastating soil-borne disease caused by the fungus fungus PhytopthoraPhytopthora into commercial pepper into commercial pepper varieties, thanks in part to a USDA research varieties, thanks in part to a USDA research grant. grant.

The Student Farm The Student Farm Pepper Diversity Pepper Diversity

GardenGarden Over 40 varieties of peppers Over 40 varieties of peppers

representing four of the representing four of the five domesticated species five domesticated species are being grown at the are being grown at the Student Farm. Student Farm.

Many of these varieties are Many of these varieties are not commercially available, not commercially available, but are used as breeding but are used as breeding stock to help confer stock to help confer desirable traits like leaf desirable traits like leaf size and shape, fruit color, size and shape, fruit color, and disease resistance. and disease resistance.

More information on several More information on several of the varieties is on the of the varieties is on the following slides.following slides.

Yolo WonderYolo Wonder

‘‘Yolo Wonder’ is a Yolo Wonder’ is a bell pepper that was bell pepper that was bred and released by bred and released by the Campbell’s Soup the Campbell’s Soup Company in 1952.Company in 1952.

Named after Yolo Named after Yolo County, California, County, California, the peppers are the peppers are sweet and the plants sweet and the plants have bushy foliage have bushy foliage that helps prevent that helps prevent sunburn. sunburn.

Ancho 101Ancho 101

Ancho type peppers (known Ancho type peppers (known as Poblanos when in their as Poblanos when in their green stage) were green stage) were developed by the Aztecs.developed by the Aztecs.

The term “Poblano” The term “Poblano” refers to the Puebla refers to the Puebla Valley south of Mexico Valley south of Mexico City where these peppers City where these peppers were first grown.were first grown.

These wide-shouldered These wide-shouldered medium-spicy peppers are medium-spicy peppers are most often dried after most often dried after they have matured to a they have matured to a deep mahogany color. deep mahogany color.

NuMex Joe E. ParkerNuMex Joe E. Parker

Developed by breeders at Developed by breeders at New Mexico State New Mexico State University, ‘NuMex Joe E University, ‘NuMex Joe E Parker’ was released in Parker’ was released in 1990 and has become one 1990 and has become one of the most widely grown of the most widely grown commercial green chile commercial green chile peppers in the United peppers in the United States today. States today.

The uniform, thick-The uniform, thick-walled fruit is a walled fruit is a favorite of the pepper favorite of the pepper canning industry and is canning industry and is also often used to make also often used to make chile rellenos. chile rellenos.

NuMex R NakyNuMex R Naky

Another variety bred Another variety bred at New Mexico State, at New Mexico State, ‘R Naky’ was released ‘R Naky’ was released in 1985 to be used in in 1985 to be used in making paprika powder. making paprika powder.

The cultivar, The cultivar, developed by Dr. Roy developed by Dr. Roy Nakayama, sets fruit Nakayama, sets fruit under high under high temperatures and low temperatures and low humidity levels. humidity levels.

Carolina CayenneCarolina Cayenne

Cayenne peppers most Cayenne peppers most likely originated in what likely originated in what is today French Guiana and is today French Guiana and were named after the were named after the Cayenne River that runs Cayenne River that runs through the country. through the country.

The variety ‘Carolina The variety ‘Carolina Cayenne’ produces spicy Cayenne’ produces spicy pods that are most often pods that are most often dried to make cayenne dried to make cayenne powder. powder.

‘‘Carolina Cayenne’ is also Carolina Cayenne’ is also resistance to root-knot resistance to root-knot nematodes; a trait that nematodes; a trait that makes the cultivar popular makes the cultivar popular with plant breeders.with plant breeders.

Early JalapeñoEarly Jalapeño

Jalapeños originated in Jalapeños originated in Mexico and are named for Mexico and are named for the city of Jalapa where the city of Jalapa where they were processed, not they were processed, not grown. grown.

Most Jalapeños are still Most Jalapeños are still grown in Mexico, but some grown in Mexico, but some commercial production does commercial production does exist in southern Texas. exist in southern Texas.

As its name implies, As its name implies, ‘Early Jalapeño’ matures ‘Early Jalapeño’ matures about two weeks earlier about two weeks earlier than most other Jalapeño than most other Jalapeño varieties and has been varieties and has been used extensively in used extensively in breeding faster-maturing breeding faster-maturing pepper varieties. pepper varieties.

CM 334CM 334

‘‘CM334’ is a semi-CM334’ is a semi-domesticated pepper domesticated pepper originating in Mexico.originating in Mexico.

Purple hued stems, Purple hued stems, tiny leaves, bountiful tiny leaves, bountiful flowers, and pungent flowers, and pungent fruit characterize the fruit characterize the cultivar. cultivar.

‘‘CM334’ is resistant to CM334’ is resistant to the fungus the fungus PhytopthoraPhytopthora and is currently being and is currently being further analyzed by the further analyzed by the Van Deynze lab on Van Deynze lab on campus.campus.

Pusa JwalaPusa Jwala

‘‘Pusa Jwala’ peppers Pusa Jwala’ peppers originate in India. originate in India.

The plants produce The plants produce many thin, wrinkled, many thin, wrinkled, spicy peppers that are spicy peppers that are used both fresh and used both fresh and dried on the dried on the subcontinent. subcontinent.

The pepper is widely The pepper is widely adapted to various adapted to various climates and is also climates and is also well-suited for well-suited for container gardening. container gardening.

Interested in Plant Interested in Plant Breeding at UC Breeding at UC

Davis?Davis?

Undergraduate students can choose a plant Undergraduate students can choose a plant breeding emphasis as a Plant Science, Plant breeding emphasis as a Plant Science, Plant Biology, or Biotechnology major. Click Biology, or Biotechnology major. Click here for for more information and class offerings . more information and class offerings .

Prospective graduate students can apply to the Prospective graduate students can apply to the Genetics Graduate Group and specialize in Plant Genetics Graduate Group and specialize in Plant Breeding and Biodiversity. Click Breeding and Biodiversity. Click here for more for more information. information.

For more information on what is involved in For more information on what is involved in studying plant breeding, click here. studying plant breeding, click here.

Produced by Ethan Grundberg with funds from the USDA

Photos by Ethan Grundberg and Theresa Hill except where noted:

1.http://www.ethno-botanik.org/Capsicum/Capsicum_baccatum/Fotos/Fotos.html2.http://www.eatmorechiles.com/Scoville_Heat.html3.http://www.tomisimo.org/blog/2007/espanol/and-people-thought-food-was-spicy-in-mexico/4.http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/cart/product/holy_jolokia_salsa/5.http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/cart/product/bhut_jolokia/

This project is funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture