Red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is a crucial vegetable crop in North Sumatra, Indonesia, facing challenges of inadequate seed quality. The seed origin also influences the quality and subsequent development of the plant. This study aimed to characterize local red chili accessions. The latest research consisted of two phases. The first phase involved morphological identification (February to May 2023) in Lubuk Cuik Village, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The second phase probed molecular characterization, conducted from March to September 2023. Morphological identification followed IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) descriptors, while molecular characterization employed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (CAMS-390, ASSR-281, and EPMS-335). The results demonstrated diverse morphological traits among the local chili accessions. Several morphological characters obtained could be useful as a source of genetic diversity. The SSR analysis revealed monomorphic bands with CAMS-390 (547–569 bp), ASSR-281 (731–758 bp), and EPMS-335 (587–625 bp). Importantly, all accessions exhibited resistance to anthracnose, with five genotypes also displaying resistance to fusarium. The dendrogram showed a similarity coefficient of 0.4 for all chili genotypes analyzed and divided into two groups. Based on phylogenetic analysis, a kinship relationship existed between local cultivars and hybrid varieties of one group. This research contributes valuable insights into the genetic diversity and disease resistance of local chili varieties, vital for future breeding and conservation efforts.

Keywords: Red chili (C. annuum L.), local chili, accessions, genetic linkage, phylogenetic analysis, morphological and molecular markers

Key findings: Characterization is the initial stage to obtain good quality red chili (C. annuum L.) cultivars through plant breeding. The genotype’s success is partly determining the availability of gene sources contained in germplasm.