Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress
<i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> is an aggressive root-knot nematode that poses a significant threat to global chili (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.) production. This study evaluated the resistance levels, physiological responses, and capsaicin accumulation patterns of diverse Capsicum g...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/607 |
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| Summary: | <i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> is an aggressive root-knot nematode that poses a significant threat to global chili (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.) production. This study evaluated the resistance levels, physiological responses, and capsaicin accumulation patterns of diverse Capsicum genotypes—including <i>C. annuum</i>, <i>C. chinense</i>, <i>C. frutescens</i>, and <i>C. baccatum</i>—under nematode-infested and non-infested conditions. Resistance was assessed using the gall index (GI), egg per g of root, and reproductive factor (Rf). Among these evaluated parameters, Rf and egg count consistently reflected nematode reproductive success, whereas the GI proved less reliable for resistance classification. Several genotypes—notably from <i>C. chinense</i> and <i>C. frutescens</i>—exhibited strong resistance (Rf < 1), suggesting their potential for nematode-infection cultivar development. Physiological assessments revealed variable photosynthetic responses, with some genotypes showing increased photosynthetic rates of post-infection, indicating potential compensatory mechanisms. In contrast, capsaicin accumulation was influenced by nematode stress and genetic background, indicating their roles in capsaicin biosynthesis. These findings highlight the genotype-specific biochemical and physiological responses of <i>Capsicum</i> species to <i>M. enterolobii</i> infection and underscore the value of integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular data in breeding programs. Future research should focus on dissecting hormonal signaling pathways and post-infection metabolic shifts to accelerate the development of robust, high-yielding cultivars with durable resistance. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-7524 |