Classical and Genomic Approaches to Breeding Chiles with Increased Disease Resistant, Quality, and Yield for New Mexico

P.W. Bosland and Danise Coon

The NMSU chile breeding and genetics program improves chile production in New Mexico through genetically superior non-GMO cultivars. High-quality cultivars have a direct economic impact on New Mexico’s chile based foods and value-added products, keeping New Mexico competitive in a global market. The program is a proactive partner with the New Mexico chile industry, to maintain the best possible representation of our iconic crop. A key project component is the development of molecular markers associated with genes of economic importance, e.g., disease resistance, yield, flavor, nutrition, and heat level, which will be used to increase efficiency of breeding new cultivars.