Ornamental peppers: acceptance and preferences by consumers

ABSTRACT:

The market for ornamental peppers in Brazil has good growth prospects. However, although the wide genetic variability available in germplasm banks in the country for the development of new cultivars, few commercial cultivars are available. Knowing the needs and preferences of consumers increases the chances of success for new cultivars. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and preferences by consumers regarding the ornamental peppers from the Capsicum Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Temperate Agriculture. Seventeen accessions of ornamental peppers grown in pots were subjected to evaluation by consumers to check their acceptance and preference. Semi-structured interviews were applied individually to 200 people, to determine the perceptions regarding the ornamental peppers, the order of preference and the reason for the choice. Wide diversity for color of immature and mature fruits, fruits shape, size and color of foliage were observed among the accessions with the highest ornamental value. The highest ornamental value was assigned to the plants P28, P119, P180, P254 and P259, genotypes highly promising for development of new ornamental peppers. P28, P119, P180 and P254 produce red ripe fruits and only the accession P259 produces yellow ripe fruits. Shape and size of the fruit were not decisive in the choice of the most ornamental plants by respondents. No difference in the perception of consumers was observed regarding the types of ornamental pepper when considered the stratification by age, education and sex of respondents. The ornamental peppers grown in pots have excellent acceptance by consumers. The greatest preference is for plants showing coloring fruits contrasting to the foliage.

Keywords:
Capsicum spp., accessions; variability, plant breeding, ornamental value.