Genetic analysis of broad spectrum resistance to potyviruses using doubled haploid lines of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Genetic analysis of resistance to PVY in androgenetic doubled haploid lines, F1, F2 and backcross progenies of the Mexican pepper line, CM 334 (Capsicum annuum L.), was performed. Three reaction types were observed when seedlings were inoculated with several PVY strains of different pathotypes and with an American PeMV strain. Resistant genotypes never showed systemic symptoms although some individuals sporadically developed necrotic local lesions on inoculated cotyledons. Susceptible genotypes exhibited either a typical systemic mosaic or a systemic necrosis that caused the death of the inoculated seedlings. Segregation analyses indicated that resistance to pepper potyviruses in CM 334 is conferred by two genes. The first one, tentatively named Pr4, is dominant and confers the resistance to all now known pathotypes of PVY and to PeMV. The second one, tentatively named pr5, is recessive; it confers only the resistance to common strains of PVY. The systemic necrotic response is conferred by an independent dominant gene, tentatively named Pn1.