Researchers at the Universitat Polit?cnica de Val?ncia (UPV) have released
the most complete genetic map of peppers cultivated in Spain. The research
team analyzed 190 pepper landraces ? 183 from cultivated species and 7 wild
forms.



The landraces that were analyzed include all pepper with Spanish origins,
including the thick and sweet ones (Morrón bell peppers) and Valencian
peppers, Trompa de Vaca, Largo de Reus, Morrón de Fresno and Benavente,
Infantes, Asar Vascos, and even varieties for canning or processing, such as
Piquillo, Bierzo, Riojano, ?ora/Bola de Murcia, Jaranda de la Vera,
Gernika/choricreo, chili, Padrón, the yellow pepper of Mallorca, and the
white pepper of Villena. Pepper varieties from Europe and Asia were also
analyzed, as well as ones from the centers of domestication of Mexico and
the U.S.: Jalape?os, Poblanos, Pasillas, Serranos (the oldest form
cultivated), chiltepins (wild form), cayenne or Chilhuacle, as well as
species linked to South America and the Caribbean (Capsicum chinense, C.
fruscens, and C. baccatum): Habaneros and several Ají.

The analysis revealed thousands of polymorphisms, making it possible to
establish phylogenetic relationships among them. Valencian bell peppers
represent a specific branch which in turn groups into a larger branch of
thick Mediterranean peppers, such as the Largo de Reus or Trompa de Vaca de
Murcia, which are differentiated from the thick ones from Castilla-Leon
(Bierzo and Fresno), the Basque Country and northern Spain. The work also
verified the strong relationships between certain Spanish landraces and
their Mexican forefathers, or from other parts of Europe. For example,
Piquillo peppers are linked to Poblanos, and chili peppers, with cayennes or
Numex.

[ruvid.org]