Research develops hybrid rootstock for protected pepper cultivation

Protect pepper crops in soils infested with bacteria from the complex Ralstonia, which causes bacterial wilt, Phytophthora capsici and root-knot nematodes. This was the main objective of the research carried out by Embrapa Hortaliças (Brasília-DF) to provide a variety of rootstock with multiple resistance to diseases and high compatibility with the varieties currently in commercial use. 

This is the case of BRS Acará, a hybrid rootstock that targets pepper producers in protected cultivation and nurseries producing grafted pepper seedlings. Like all technology developed, BRS Acará went through the process of validating its characteristics, when compared with other rootstocks already on the market. And, according to researcher Cláudia Ribeiro, who coordinates the genetic improvement program for Capsicum (peppers and peppers) the new material was up to the challenge.

To better understand the issue, the researcher explains that in addition to resistance to multiple diseases, the rootstock must present good compatibility with the hybrid that, in the case of peppers, will be grafted. “The grafted hybrid plant (cavaleiro) has to produce equal or more than the non-grafted hybrid plant (known as free foot)”, notes Cláudia, to add: “In studies conducted at Embrapa, the compatibility of BRS Acará was measured. with different commercial pepper hybrids - commercial pepper hybrid plants grafted onto BRS Acará produced 35% more fruit than their respective free plants (non-grafted plants)”.

Furthermore, still in terms of evaluation, in tests carried out in the rural center of Pipiripau-DF, BRS Acará adapted very well to the pepper hybrids used, including Margarita, preferably planted in the Federal District. “Taking all this into consideration, we can conclude that BRS Acará is one of the best rootstocks on the market and superior to several commercial rootstock hybrids”, summarizes Cláudia.

Plant health

With the intensive use of soil in greenhouses and greenhouses, where crop rotation is not carried out, the occurrence of phytosanitary problems has increased, mainly caused by soil-borne pathogens. To face these difficulties, a good alternative is the use of grafted seedlings from commercial pepper hybrids, whose seeds are expensive. “In naturally infested soils, the use of rootstock resistant to soil diseases has allowed a good production of peppers, despite the presence of pathogens”, highlights the researcher, who also includes as a positive balance in the BRS Acará profile the reduction of use of pesticides.

“The use of rootstock with multiple resistance to the main soil pathogens that affect pepper crops is the safest and most efficient control method, avoiding and/or reducing the use of pesticides to control diseases”, points out Cláudia.

Availability

After eight years of research, experiments, evaluations and validations, BRS Acará is ready to be commercialized – it has already gone through the protection and registration stages with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), and is awaiting licensing from companies that will produce and further commercialize this material developed by Embrapa.