Seed Banks & Research Institutions

There are many Germplasm systems and seed banks around the world dedicated to researching and maintaining the seed diversify of the Capsicum species. Each institution use their own mnemonics and numbering systems rather than common names thereby further confusing the process of classify unique chile varieties.

This chileman guide gives you a broad overview of some of the better known institutions and their numbering systems. In the chileman database, we have by tried to reduce listing duplicate varieties by quoting the various identifier next to common names where known.

United States Department of Agriculture Research Service (USDA)

The USDA based in Georgia, USA operate a National Plant Seed System which researches and houses one of the most extensive Capsicum seed collections in the world. This collection contains over 2000 Capsicum accessions that include cultivars from all over the world.

Observation data is recorded upon arrival of the seed at the facility and a USDA Plant Introduction number (PI) is then assigned. Observation data is extensive and includes everything from the size and shape of the plant and pods, to the calyx shape and fruit set. The information and any subsequent evaluation data are entered into the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

The USDA varieties are listed in the chileman database and can be found by typing in PI or GRIF into the name box here: http://www.thechileman.org/search.php

GRIN is currently a free service and further information on the many accessions listed can be accessed here: http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/acc/acc_queries.html

The Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (ARVDC)

Foundered in 1971, the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center in Taiwan is a Not-for profit international agricultural research institute whose mission is to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables. http://www.avrdc.org

Chile varieties from the gene bank at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center can be found in the chileman database by typing in C0 (C zero) into the name box here: http://www.thechileman.org/search.php

The Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN)

CGN is an independent research unit based in Wageningen, The Netherlands, which conducts, on behalf of the Dutch government, research associated with the biodiversity and identity of species that are important for agriculture and forestry. CGN is currently a free service and data on its chile pepper collection can be accessed here: http://www.cgn.wageningen-ur.nl/pgr

The CGN varieties are also listed in the chileman database and can be found by typing in CGN in the name box here: http://www.thechileman.org/search.php

Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças (BGH)

The Embrapa Hortaliças in Brazil is one of the main centres for agricultural research in South America. One of its key roles is the classification and preservation of native species and the transfer agricultural knowledge for the benefit of Brazilian society. Each of Chile varieties held are assigned a BGH classification number indicating an accession from the gene bank at Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças.

The BGH varieties in the chileman database can be found by typing in BGH into the name box here: http://www.thechileman.org/search.php

The Chile Pepper Institute (New Mexican State University)

The Chile Pepper Institute is an international, nonprofit organization devoted to education, research, and archiving information related to Capsicum. The Institute collaborates with the New Mexico State University Chile Breeding and Genetics Program to preserve chile germplasm, of both cultivated and wild species, and to advance the studies of chile pepper diseases. http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org

The Chile Pepper breading program has developed many varieties over the years with improved disease resistance and harvesting characteristics. They are all listed in the Chileman database and can be found by typing in Numex into the name box here: http://www.thechileman.org/search.php

The German Research Centre for Biotechnology (CAP)

The German Research Centre for Biotechnology in Braunschweig, Germany researches infectious disease as well as their prevention and treatment. Many of the varieties used by the institution can be found in the chileman database by typing in the mnemonic CAP here: http://www.thechileman.org/search.php