Seedless Pepper

This present invention relates to seedless pepper (SLP) and to male sterile pepper plants having the capability of growing edible seedless fruits.

Fruits are the result of the development of the ovary. In normal fruit development, the initiation of the fruit set depends on the successful completion of the pollination and fertilization process. Initiation of fruit development is generally repressed until fertilization occurs.

External or internal factors may occasionally interfere with the normal process of fruit development, which may then become independent of pollination and fertilization such as in parthenocarpic fruit setting. In parthenocarpic plants, fruit development and initiation is uncoupled from fertilization. The parthenocarpic characteristic can lead to the development of fruits with no or reduced seeds without pollination and fertilization. Parthenocarpy therefore refers to the development of the ovary into seedless fruit independent of the pollination and /or fertilization process.

Parthenocarpy can occur naturally or it can be artificially induced. Natural parthenocarpy may have a genetic basis and therefore be controlled by genetic determinants.

This invention describes a genetic determinant that allows the pepper plant to grow seedless fruits.

Advantage to the consumer: No seeds in the pepper varieties ready for consumption either processed in a dish or as a snack.

Varieties

Syngenta commercial varieties that contain the seedless trait: Angello

Patent

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