Viral diseases are the main obstacle to pepper development in the world. Genetic resistance is the most recommended way for its control, due to its protection level and epidemeological reasons. Genetic sources of resistance are frequently available, but it is difficult to achieve simultaneously a proper resistance level. On the other hand, the hybrids available in the market do not have a satisfactory adaptation to tropical conditions. The seed from commercial pepper hybrids is highly sought-after in the market. By way of example, we can say that 1 kg of imported pepper seed has a minimum cost of 3000 USD. In order to obtain those seeds, it is required to have the necessary parental lines and an efficient methodology to obtain the hybrid seed on a commercial scale.

The work proposes an improvement strategy in order to obtain milti-resistant hybrids facing the main five viruses that affect this cultivation in the country (TMV, PVY, TEV, PVMV and CMV) adapted to tropical conditions, based on genetic-statistical studies and proved in practice obtaining a group of hybrids, from which three are being exploitated in facilities protected in four provinces of the country with excellent results. It has permitted the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) suppressing this kind of imports. The work started from a pressing study of a wide germplasm bank which covered the study of genetic sources for the productivity, determination of the genetic resistance types to these viruses and the mecanisms in the sources used. There were determined the main genetic parameters, the recurrent selection methods step by step and the considerations for these characteristics, including the resistance check monitoring on each stage.

It was design, on this base, an efficient scheme to obtain the hybrids’ parental lines of commercial interest. It was also developed the methodology to obtain a commercial hybrid seed. The application of the previous results allowed obtaining the first multi-resistant pepper hybrids with high adaptability and productivity, which exceed in our conditions the yield reached by the commercially used Israeli seed. There are enclosed 21 references on the commercial behaviour of these hybrids in Cuba. The methodology proposed to obtain this seed has been also endorsed by an Italian and an Israeli firm

The results of this work have been awarded prizes, presented in scientific events and published in 17 articles in scientific magazines, from which 7 are international magazines and 4 are very prestigious.