Comparative foliar epidermal studies in Capsicum annuum L. and Capsicum frutescens L.

摘要

The study evaluated the degree of relatedness and variability in foliar epidermal features of four varieties?of two closely related cultivated Capsicum species,C. annuum L. and C. frutescens L., in West Africa using?light microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy.?The varieties used in the study were C. annuum var. abbreviatum,C. annuum var. acuminatum, C. annuum?var. grossum and C. frutescens var. baccatum. In general, the results of foliar epidermal traits revealed?similarities and overlaps in the four varieties, and some diagnostic traits that could be employed in taxonomic?decision. Across the varieties, stomatal type was anisocytic and epidermal cells were irregularly shaped?with wavy anticlinal walls. Non-glandular trichomes were only found on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces?in C. annuum var. abbreviatum and C. frutescens var. baccatum although varied in type from unicellular to?multicellular. The four varieties also exhibited similarity in major elemental compositions as revealed by?EDX. Capsicum frutescens var. baccatum could be distinguished from the three varieties of C. annuum by?the presence of bromine, chlorine, and nitrogen in its elemental composition spectroscopy. The study shed?more light on the degree of relatedness and variability among the varieties of the cultivated Capsicum?species which could be exploited for selection and breeding purposes.