Morphological diversity of floral traits in Tunisian Capsicum annuum landraces

This study assessed the morphological diversity of floral traits among sixteen Tunisian Capsicum annuum landraces grown under open-field conditions. Significant variation was recorded for all examined traits, including days to flowering, corolla length, anther and filament length, and calyx diameter. Flowering time ranged from 43 to 133 days, indicating a wide phenological divergence among genotypes. Most landraces exhibited pendant flower orientation, while a few showed intermediate positions. Correlations ranged from r = 0.69 to r = 0.85 among corolla, anther, filament, and calyx dimensions, suggesting coordinated floral development, whereas flowering time was largely independent of flower size. Cluster analysis distinguished early- and late-flowering groups, reflecting contrasting adaptive strategies and potential genetic differentiation. Overall, the observed floral variability underscores the diversity present within Tunisian pepper germplasm, offering valuable opportunities for breeding programs targeting earliness, reproductive efficiency, and environmental adaptability.