Capsicum: breeding strategies for anthracnose resistance

Capsicum, more commonly as chili or chili pepper, is an important global vegetable and spice crop.

Anthracnose disease, caused by a complex of Colletotrichum species, is the major biotic stress limiting chili production in tropical and subtropical countries.

Anthracnose disease mainly manifests itself as a post-harvest disease, resulting in large necrotic lesions on the fruit.

This disease is mainly controlled by the application of a 'cocktail' of fungicides as commercial resistant cultivars are not available.

In recent years, insights into the complexity of the pathogen and the genomics of the host have been accomplished using cutting-edge molecular technologies.

The author has been at the forefront of this technology revolution in Capsicum breeding through her research to understand the host and pathogen which has led to the development of new anthracnose resistant genotypes.