Microsatellites for detecting inconsistencies in Capsicum cultivars registration in Brazilian database: more than meets the eye

ABSTRACT In Brazil, cultivars are registered by National Register of Cultivars (RNC), which besides enabling commercialization of cultivar propagative material, also guarantees the producers genetic purity and identity of propagules. However, it is possible that the information about registration and commercialization of some cultivars is inaccurate. This study aims to analyze the use of microsatellite markers to detect inconsistencies in data of Capsicum spp. cultivars obtained from the official database (CultivarWeb). Seven cultivars were evaluated, three of them were through genetic identity analysis (Amarela Comprida, De Cayenne and Cayenne Long Slin) and the others were used as standard for the species C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense. Thirty-three microsatellite loci were polymorphic and presented 76 alleles (an average of 2.3 alleles/locus). Fixation Index (F) showed high homozygosis and estimators of genetic diversity (Ho and I) presented low genetic diversity among cultivars. The molecular analysis, represented in a dendrogram and in Principal Coordinate Analysis Chart (PCOA), showed that the investigated cultivars belong to C. annuum, contrary to what is registered in CultivarWeb, which indicates that such cultivars belong to the species C. frutescens. Thus, the authors recommend that the data in the CultivarWeb should be checked and enhanced.