Finding sources of resistance to bacterial wilt (BW) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a crucial step toward the development of improved bacterial wilt-resistant tomato varieties. Here, we evaluated new sources of bacterial wilt-tolerant/resistant tomato lines and identified associated phylotype/sequevar of R. solanacearum strains in Benin. Eighteen F5 lines and five checks were evaluated in two hotspots: the experimental site of the World Vegetable Center, Cotonou Benin, and the Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science of the University of Abomey-Calavi. Experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Data were collected on bacterial wilt incidence, horticultural and fruit traits and yield components. Across the two experiments, the F5 lines showed no wilting, while the local variety ‘Tounvi’ used as susceptible check showed 57.64% wilting. The wilting was due to BW and was associated with sequevars I-14, I-18 and I-31 of phylotype I. AVTO1803, AVTO1955-6 and H7996 were the highest yielding lines with 20.29 t·ha⁻¹, 17.66 t·ha⁻¹ and 17.07 t/ha, respectively. The sources of resistance to BW can be recommended to national agricultural system for dissemination or used in tomato breeding programs.

Potyviruses, including Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) and Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV) are a major constraint to chilli production in Asia, and the effectiveness of host resistance is influenced by Potyvirus species and virus isolates. In this study, 14 advanced chilli breeding lines with different combinations of potyvirus resistance ( pvr ) genes were evaluated across multiple environments in Asia. Molecular diagnostics confirmed the presence of ChiVMV in India and Thailand, whereas PVMV was detected in China and Japan, reflecting the complexity of virus populations across regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial genetic diversity among ChiVMV and PVMV isolates, with evidence of geographic structuring. Multilocation screening revealed substantial variation in breeding line performance across environments. Breeding lines with combinations of dominant and recessive resistance genes generally had improved resistance across multiple environments, supporting the value of gene pyramiding. Overall, breeding line performance differed across locations where distinct Potyvirus species and phylogenetically distinct virus isolates were detected, supporting the importance of multilocation evaluation for identifying stable resistance in chilli.

Societal Impact Statement: Capsicum chinense is central to everyday diets, cultural identity, and smallholder livelihoods across Sub‐Saharan Africa, yet remains overlooked in agricultural research and policy. This paper reframes C. chinense as a traditional, climate‐resilient vegetable shaped by centuries of farmer stewardship and cultural selection. We highlight its resilience to heat and drought, stable market demand, and importance to women‐led value chains, alongside major gaps in breeding and seed systems. Recognizing and investing in this culturally vital crop can strengthen climate adaptation, protect culinary heritage, and improve food security and incomes for millions of smallholder farmers. Summary: C. chinense is a culturally, economically, and agriculturally important species whose global significance has been obscured by a long‐standing taxonomic misnomer implying a Chinese origin. This designation fails to reflect the species' South American origins or its deep biocultural integration elsewhere. We argue that C. chinense should be reconsidered through a biocultural lens that recognizes its regional diversification, cultural identities, and long‐standing human–plant relationships. In Sub‐Saharan Africa, C. chinense functions as a traditional vegetable central to everyday cooking, valued for its intense aroma, distinct flavors, balanced heat, and culinary versatility. The crop also exhibits strong agronomic resilience, performing well under heat, drought, and low‐input conditions, and providing stable income and food security for smallholder households. Parallel cultural importance in the Caribbean, where landraces anchor national cuisines and artisanal processing traditions, highlights its trans‐Atlantic significance. Shared sensory preferences for fruity aroma and balanced heat across Sub‐Saharan Africa and the Caribbean underscore the crop's biocultural connectedness. Despite this prominence, C. chinense remains severely understudied, with major gaps in genetic characterization, stress tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and aroma chemistry. Informal seed systems dominate production, limiting varietal quality and access to improved seed. We call for renewed scientific, institutional, and policy investment to advance breeding, seed systems, and conservation of this resilient and culturally vital crop.