Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an herbaceous crop and plays an important role as common spices and vegetables. Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most cost-effective and agricultural vegetables in the world. The most significant characteristics of peppers, as spices and in various pharmacological uses, are pungency and oleoresin (color). Cabsicum annuum L. is widely used as a medicinal herb and in the Mediterranean diet (at the present, C. annuum var. acuminatum Fingerh. and Capsicum frutescens L. are considered synonyms of C. annuum L.). Capsicum annuum includes a wide range of carotenoids including capsanthin, capsorubin, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, fanthophyl, and xanthophyll, and capsaicinoid. However, it remains limited in production due to the lack of development in varieties especially under severe climatic circumstances such as drought, high temperature, or salt. Some reports were provided through distinct traditional approaches for genetic improvement. A combination of traditional and molecular breeding, especially breeding for heterosis, might be a good option for developing a novel genotype for ecologically adversely affected niche adaption. This review summarizes the current chilli breeding approaches with their drawbacks and highlights some recent classical efforts for the improvement of the crop. This would be the milestone for the breeders in the planning of a successful chilli breeding program to combat the adverse ecological condition. Thus, the information gathered in this article might be considered as the cornerstone of Chilli breeders at their ongoing and sustainable future programs as well.

This research was conducted to study the performance of biparental dura × pisifera (D × P) progenies and their parental genetic origins on fruit set and yield components. Twenty-four D × P progenies developed from 10 genetic origins were used for this study. Analysis of variance showed that there was genetic variability based on the evaluation of individual progenies. Deli Ulu Remis × Nigeria of progeny ECPHP500 recorded the highest bunch number (22.91), and fresh fruit bunch (184.62 kg palm⁻¹ year⁻¹) and Deli Banting dura × AVROS pisifera (ECPHP550) had the highest average bunch weight (10.36 kg bunch⁻¹ year⁻¹). Progenies PK4674 (61.12%) and PK4465 (60.93%) had the highest fruit set, and the highest oil yield of 52.66 kg bunch⁻¹ was noticed by progeny PK4674. Estimation of variance components, coefficients of variation, heritability, and genetic gain were calculated to establish the genetic variability. To validate the genetic disparity among the progenies, an unweighted pair-group procedure with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and principal component was employed based on their quantitative traits. Through the UPGMA and principal component, the 24 progenies were clustered into 7 clusters, whereas cluster V had the highest fruit set (60.62%) and cluster IV had the highest oil yield (43.71 kg palm⁻¹ year⁻¹). For oil palm tissue culture and breeding programs, progeny PK4674 will be more useful for developing planting materials of high oil yielding with stable performance. However, we recommend that future studies incorporate molecular studies with conventional breeding.

It is crucial to assess genetically superior parents when developing novel hybrids. This experiment was conducted to find out the diversity of 27 Capsicum annuum mutant lines derived from two varieties.To achieve the objective, 23 morpho-physiological and yield traits were recorded through two planting seasons. Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were recorded among the studied traits. There was a strong to moderately positive phenotypic association between yield and all other morphological traits except first bifurcation length, stem diameter, pedicle length, flowering date, and maturity date. A higher Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), combined with moderate to high heritability and high hereditary progress, have been found in the number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, and number of seeds per fruit. High heritability was found in yield characteristics, vis-à-visnumber of seeds per fruit, number of fruits per plant, and indicated high genetic advance. The studied genotypes were divided into six groups after the cluster analysis. Based on the correlation matrix of 23 quantitative characteristics, principal component analysis revealed that the percentage of variation for PC1 and PC2 is 28%and 19%, respectively, andPC1 represents the largest percentage of the overall total variation. The calculated genetic distance also explains the potential of heterosis breeding. The revealed findings might be helpful for breeders to target quantitative characters and the parental lines of C. annuum during the execution of their future breeding programmes for developing high-yielding and climate-resilient chilli varieties.

This study was conducted to assess the Elaeidobius kamerunicus (EK) population density among the biparental dura × pisifera hybrids’ palms on deep peat-soil. Twenty-four hybrids derived from 10 genetic sources were used. Variance analysis showed that the EK population density varies between different oil palm hybrids, with a more noticeable variation of a low population mean in the male weevil across the hybrids. The highest weevil population mean/spikelet was attained on the third day of anthesis. The maximum monthly population of EK/spikelet (12.81 ± 0.23) and population density of EK (1846.49 ± 60.69) were recorded in January. Accordingly, 41.67% of the hybrids recorded an EK population density greater than the trial means of 973.68 weevils. Hybrid ECPHP550 had the highest mean of EK/spikelet (10.25 ± 0.11) and the highest population density of EK/palm (1241.39 ± 73.74). The parental mean population was 963.24 weevils and parent Deli-Banting × AVROS recorded the highest EK population density (1173.01). The overall results showed a notable disparity in the EK population among the biparental hybrids. Parental Deli-Banting × AVROS and hybrid ECPHP550 could be more useful to optimize the weevil population for pollination improvements in palm plantations. However, we suggest that volatile production should be included as a desirable trait in oil palm selective breeding.

This study investigated oil palm inflorescence sex ratio (ISR) and fruit set (FS) yield among 24 dura × pisifera biparental progenies on fibric peat soil, hybridized from ten genetic origins. Three-month intervals of data collection on ISR and “S-shape” procedure for FS determination were carried out in an independent complete randomized design for one year. Based on the assessment of individual progenies, analysis of variance revealed the existence of genetic heterogeneity. Five of the progenies had the highest ISR above 90%. However, 20.83% of the progenies (PK4841, PK4674, ECPHP415, ECPHP550, and PK4118) had the best normal range of ISR, indicating FS declined being influenced by ISR. Therefore, only 12.50% of the progenies (PK4674, PK4465, and PK4482) were above 60% FS critical level. Correlation analysis verified that ISR depends on the female flower and progeny PK4674 (65.78%) and PK4465 (62.62%) had the best FS and fruit to bunch. Among the parental origins, Deli Serdang × Cameroon was statistically the best for male flower production at 29.40% and ISR at 72.22%. The highest FS was recorded in Deli Banting × AVROS (54.00%) and Angola × AVROS (53.78%). However, molecular research, such as microsatellite molecular markers if concurrently used as a selection criterion with the present conventional study, could present further details to complement the present findings.

This research was conducted to study the effects of LED red and blue spectra irradiance levels and nutrient solution (electrical conductivity) and their interaction on the plant growth, yield, and phytochemical contents of lemon basil (Ocimum citriodorum Vis.) in a controlled environment. The controlled environment was equipped with red and blue spectra at a 4:1 ratio with irradiance levels of 80 and 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and irrigated with four different nutrient solution ECs at 1.0, 1.8, 2.6, and 3.4 mS cm⁻¹, cultivated on a vertical structure. The temperature and relative humidity of the controlled environment and the pH of the nutrient solution were maintained at 26 and 18 °C day and night, 65 ± 5%, and pH 6, respectively. It was observed that plant height, canopy diameter, and the number of leaves of lemon basil had significantly increased under the irradiance levels of 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in combination with a nutrient solution EC of 2.6 mS cm⁻¹. In addition, there was an interaction observed between the LED irradiance levels and the nutrient solution EC on the fresh weight of the stem and the dry weight of all the plant parts (leaves, stem, and roots). Lemon basil cultivated at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and irrigated with 2.6 mS cm⁻¹ was significantly higher in fresh stem weight and dry leaf, stem, and root weight at 17.36, 1.79, 1.82, and 0.22 g, respectively. The ascorbic acid of lemon basil was significantly higher under a treatment of 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ irradiance level and an EC of 2.6 mS cm⁻¹, and no interaction was observed. At the same time, there was an interaction observed between the LED irradiance level and the nutrient solution EC on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and caftaric acid concentration of lemon basil. Lemon basil cultivated at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and irrigated with 2.6 mS cm⁻¹ was significantly higher in TPC, TFC, and caftaric acid concentration, with 1440.62 mg gallic acid equivalent to 100 g⁻¹ DW, 1148.79 mg quercetin equivalent to 100 g⁻¹ DW, and 2812.50 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW, respectively. This result indicates that the irradiance levels of red and blue LED spectra at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and irrigated with a nutrient solution EC of 2.6 mS cm⁻¹ enhances the growth, yield production, and phenolic content of lemon basil in a controlled environment facility.