‘Caro-Tex 312'- An F1 Hybrid, High Yielding, Multiple Disease Resistant Orange Habanero Pepper Cultivar

Texas A&M University and the USDA-ARS U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston announce the release of a new, F1 hybrid Habanero pepper cultivar.  ‘Caro-Tex 312’ produces a large, orange-fruited Habanero pepper with typical shape and high pungency.  It also possesses unique yield, early maturity and disease resistance attributes not currently available in other Habanero pepper cultivars.  ‘Caro-Tex 312’ carries the single dominant genes for resistance to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), both in the heterozygous condition.  Due to the dominant nature of these two genes, resistance expression is not expected to differ from the respective inbred lines used as parents.  In separate field and greenhouse screenings, no difference was observed in TSWV resistance between the inbred parent UV88-2004, and ‘Caro-Tex 312.’  In addition, in 2 separate field evaluations at Uvalde, TX, both the parent inbred and the F1 hybrid exhibited resistance to Pepper Mottle Virus (PepMoV), though inheritance of the resistance has not been determined yet.  Fruit quality of ‘Caro-Tex 312’ has been excellent in three separate field trials.  Heterosis for fruit size, total yield and earliness was evident at all locations, compared to the parent lines.  Fruits were significantly larger than the standard open-pollinated cultivars- ‘Peto Orange’ and ‘TAM Mild Habanero.’  In addition, fruit from ‘Caro-Tex 312’ were significantly larger than those from ‘Kukulkan’ F1 hybrid cultivar at College Station and Uvalde.  Fruit color was darker orange than ‘Kukulkan’ at College Station and Weslaco, but not as dark as ‘Peto Orange.’  Colored fruit maturity was 7-10 days earlier than ‘Kukulkan’ and 20-25 days earlier than ‘Peto Orange’ at College Station, Weslaco and Uvalde.  Fruit wall thickness of ‘Caro-Tex 312’ was significantly greater than either parent at Weslaco and College Station, but not as thick as that of ‘Kukulkan.’  Capsaicin content of ‘Caro-Tex 312’ (9,100 ppm, dry weight basis) was less than that of ‘Kukulkan’ (15,160 ppm), but fruit was still very hot.  Yield differences between ‘Caro-Tex 312’, the parent lines and five other experimental lines and cultivars were remarkable.  Total yields from 3 harvests at College Station, TX and Charleston, SC revealed highly significant differences between ‘Caro-Tex 312’ and all other entries, including other F1 hybrids.  In addition, ‘Caro-Tex 312’ continued to set heavily after the third harvest, compared to the other entries.  The unique attributes of this new hybrid cultivar should appeal to Habanero pepper growers in the U.S. and elsewhere.