THE CAPSANTHIN-CAPSORUBIN SYNTHASE GENE - A CANDIDATE GENE FOR THE Y-LOCUS CONTROLLING THE RED FRUIT COLOR IN PEPPER

The red colour of pepper fruits is determined by the y(+) dominant all ele and the yellow colour by the y recessive allele. The capsanthin-ca psorubin synthase (CCS) gene is activated specifically during the fina l stages of pepper fruit ripening. RFLP and specific-PCR polymorphisms derived from the CCS gene were analysed in a F2 progeny of a red by y ellow-fruited cross. They cosegregated completely with fruit colour. O ur results support the hypothesis that the yellow phenotype might resu lt from a deletion of the CCS gene. These specific markers were integr ated into the genetic map and will be useful for marker assisted plant breeding.