**2.2 Major goals of Capsicum breeding**

A variety of colors, including medium or dark green at the unripe stage and red, yellow, or orange at the mature stage, are among the key targets of genetic enhancement of sweet peppers. Research in this initiative aims to find and develop new varieties of capsicum that are rich sources of antioxidants as well as vitamins. Flavonoids and carotenoids (red, yellow, and orange carotenoids), which contain vitamin A precursors such as alpha and beta carotene, as well as β-cryptoxanthin are also included in this category [15, 16]. Breeding efforts are also focused at increasing fruit set and yield in varying climatic situations, including open and protected. Low temperatures, drought, and salt stress are all being studied as part of breeding efforts to combat abiotic threats. Breeding for long-term storage stability of carotenoid extract and resistance to *Phytophthora* fruit rot are also on the research agenda. Powdery mildew, anthracnose, *Phytophthora* fruit rot, bacterial wilt and viruses, are some of the most common diseases that affect sweet peppers in open-field as well as in the green house production. Another important objective is to develop sweet pepper genotypes that are more tolerant to tropicalization, since this is a cool-season crop. Produce will be accessible throughout the year for a longer amount of time in places that are not usual [17]. The primary breeding goals in protected culture are to develop sweet pepper lines with an indeterminate growth habit, tolerant to training and pruning systems, blocky fruit, resistance to biotic stress, and resistance to root-knot nematode [18].
