**2.** *Capsicum* **biology and horticultural characteristics**

The CABI Compendium features *Capsicum's* biology and horticultural characteristics as follows [5]. *Capsicum* grows to a height of 0.5–1.5 m, is heavily branched, and has extremely strong taproots. The lateral roots are many, while the stem is uneven and angular, measuring around 1 cm in diameter and measuring about 0.5–1.5 m in length. The stem is normally green to brown-green in color, with purple patches near the node on occasion. The leaf design is alternate, basic, and highly changeable, with petioles up to 10 cm long. The apex is acuminate, and the edge is whole, pale dark green, and subglabrous. The flowers are arranged singly, and the pedicel is around 4 cm long when in bloom. The fruits may grow up to 8 cm in length. The calyx is cupshaped and with enlarged fruit. Generally, it has five conspicuous teeth, and the white corolla has five to seven lobes. It can develop to five to seven stamens with pale blue to purplish anthers. The ovary is 2–4 locular, style filiform, and has a white or purplish stigma capitate. Fruit is a non-pulpy berry variable in size, shape, color, and degree of pungency [5]. Fruits are relatively conical with up to 30 cm long. The colors tend to be green, yellow, cream, or purplish when it is not yet fully developed. However, it becomes red, orange, yellow, or brown when it matures. The seeds are orbicular and flattened, about 3–4.5 mm in diameter, 1 mm thick, and pale yellow in color. The plant is considered an annual, herbaceous, perennial, seed propagated, shrub, and climber.

Domesticated crop seeds germinate 6–21 days after seeding, with continuous blooming beginning 60–90 days later. The flower is open for 2–3 days, and outcrossing of up to 91% may occur, depending on bee activity and heterostyly, although it is typically considered a self-pollinated crop. Approximately 40–50% of the flowering set fruit matures 4–5 weeks after blooming and can be plucked in 5–7 days intervals under typical conditions. The harvest time is around 4–7 months following the seeding stage [5].

The untamed seed dormancy in wild *C. annum* seeds is staggered, allowing germination and recruitment to occur when conditions are best in a more unpredictable and uncertain environment [6]. Wild seeds' testae are thicker than domesticated plants, generating more but smaller seeds, which are better equipped for dispersion [6]. Insect pollinators outcrossed *C. annum* in the wild at a significant rate were noted [6]. Flowering occurs late in the season, but once it does, it is persistent and prolific, with overlapping stages of flower and fruit development [6]. *Capsicum* plants may grow as permanent shrubs in a suitable climate, although they are commonly grown as annuals elsewhere [6]. Light, well-manured, limey, and well-drained soil is preferred [1].

*Capsicum* peppers are day-neutral, warm-season plants; however, certain varieties may exhibit a photoperiodic reactivity [5]. The vegetative cycle may be accelerated by enforcing particular photoperiods [5]. *Capsicum* peppers can withstand 45% of prevailing sun energy in a shaded environment [5], although shadow might delay flowering.

*Capsicum* peppers thrive in loam soil with a pH of 5.5–6.8 [5]. They grow at various elevations, with rainfall ranging from 600 to 1250 mm [5]. Cultivars are destroyed by severe floods or drought [5]. The optimum germination temperatures are between 25 and 30°C and can withstand temperatures as low as 15°C at night [5]. The plant can yield fruit, albeit it will be delayed if the temperature drops below 25°C [5]. If the night temperature hits 30°C, flower buds will abort rather than mature [5]. When the temperature reaches 30°C, and below 15°C, the pollen viability is significantly reduced [5].

Capsicum seeds are dispersed in various ways. *C. annum* is transmitted via the movement of seeds, which are generated in vast quantities and can endure for more than a year [3]. Chilies are the favorite food of many birds in their natural range; they *Genetics and Genomics of Capsicum: Valuable Resources for Capsicum Development DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.110407*

drop seeds while eating the fruits or pass through the digestive tract unharmed [3]. Humans also intentionally spread the species to use its fruits and leaves as food, spice, ornamental, and medicine [1, 7]. It is believed to have escaped cultivation accidentally in Puerto Rico and Finland [8, 9]. Because the species can grow in sandy, coastal environments, it can be spread by both biotic and abiotic vectors [10].
