1. Capsicum annuum, commonly known as chili pepper, originated in Mexico. It was domesticated around 5000 BC and introduced to other parts of the world like Spain, India, and China at different points in history by explorers and traders. 2. There are five main cultivated species of chili peppers, with C. annuum being the most widely grown. C. annuum has significant diversity and exists as both spicy and non-spicy varieties. 3. Chili peppers are berries that contain capsaicin, the compound that gives them their spicy flavor. Capsaicin is produced in glands located between the placenta and inner skin of the pepper fruit.

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2. CLASSIFICATION
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 Kingdom : Plantae
 Divison : Magnoliophyta
 Class : Magnoliopsida
 Order : Solanales
 Family : Solanaceae
 Genus : Capsicum
 Species : Capsicum annum, frutescence, dacatum,
pubascence, chinense

3. Introduction
 Botanical name - Capsicum annum L.
 Family - Solanaceae
 Chromosome number - 2n=24, 26
 Pungency - Capsaicin C18 H27 NO3,
 Red color - Capsanthin
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4. Origin
 Mexico is the center of diversity for C. annuum
 Introduce Spain 1493 by Columbus – spread Mediterranean region
to England in 1548 - central Europe in the 16th century
 Brazil to India in 1885 by Portuguese
 In china it came under cultivation during the late 1700s
 Five cultivated species in world wide
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5. Domesticated
around 5000BC
Carried by
Columbusto
Spain,1493
Brought by Portuguese
fromBrazil to India, 1584
Evolved as a wild
crop 7500BC
origin
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6. Cultivated species are:-
 C. annuum - Mexico
 C. frutescens - Amazonia
 C. chinense - Amazonia
 C. pendulum - Peru and Bolivia
 C. pubescens - Peru and Bolivia (Extinct)
 C. pendulum becomes C. baccatum var. pendulum ,
 C. microcarpum becomes C. baccatum var. baccatum
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7. Capsicum annuum complex
C. annuum var. annuum
C. annuum var. avicular
C. frutescens
C. chinense
C. chacoense
Capsicum baccatum group
C. baccatum var. praetermissum
C. baccatum var. pendulum
C. baccatum var. baccatum
Capsicum eximium complex
C. pubescens
C. eximium
C. cardenasii
white flowers
white flowers
with yellow
spots
purple flowers
X=13 species
• C. ciliatum
• C. buforum
• C. campylopodium
• C. cornutum
• C. schottianum
• C. villosum
• C. pereirae
• C. friburguense
• 3 unnamed Capsicum
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8. Capsicum annuum Capsicum frutescens
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9. Capsicum pubescens C. chinense
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10. Capsicum baccatum
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Morphology of fruit
 Fruit type is berry
 Capsicin glands – between placenta and
endocarp - produce capsaicin
 Calyx – Persistent calyx
 Seeds – Contain a very low amount of water
but rich in lecithin.contrary to popular
belief, the seeds do not contain
capsaicin,although since they are accanti to
capsaiciniche glands,can absorb a little.
 Placenta – metabolic exchange fruit to seed

13. Flower biology
 Flower -Actinomorphic, Bisexual, Pedicellate, Hypogynous
 Gynoecium -Superior ovary,
 Androecium -Stamens 5-6, Epipetalous
 Pollination -Self pollination (cross 16% bees, Ants & Thrips)
 Flower opening -5am to 6am – cool days cloudy delay
 Anther dehiscence -8am to 11am
 Receptivity -24 hours after flower opening.
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14. Hotness in pepper
 Chilli hotness measured by SHU
(Scoville Heat Unit )
 Bhut Jolokia – 1,001,304 SHU
 Naga Morich – 1,598,227 SHU
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15. Reference
 Zhigila, D. A., Fruit Morphology as Taxonomic Features in Five
Varieties of Capsicum annuum L. Solanaceae. 2014
 Mark J. Bassett., Breeding of vegetable crops, 67-137
 Sigh, H. R., 1997. Vegetable Breeding - Principles and practices:381-
406
 Reddy, M.K., Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) breeding in india: an
overview.
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