Challenges and prospective strategies in varietal improvement of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

Chilli is a vegetable cum spice crop, grown worldwide that gives taste for food, color and pungency. Different types of carotenoid such as capsanthin, capsorubin, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, fanthophyl and xanthophyll as well as capsaicinoid are found in Capsicum annuum L. There are numerous obstacles faced by the growers and traders in cultivation and marketing of chilli.The primary factors which causes the stagnation of chili productivity over a number of years are low productivity, climate change, inappropriate management, lack of high-quality seeds, increased susceptibility to serious of insect pests, diseases and abiotic stresses.Utilizing biotechnological tools in improvements of chillies have been achieved recently.Nowadays, it has become evident how important it is to use genetic markers to isolate resistance genes and sterility features.The identification of novel genes for the improvement of chilli could be accelerated by integrating traditional and modern molecular techniques.This review outlines some recent traditional efforts for the crop's enhancement and discusses the shortcomings of the existing methods used in chilli breeding. In order to counteract the unfavorable ecological state, this would be a significant milestone for the breeders to plan for an approaches for a successful chilli breeding programme.