Books • Peer‑reviewed articles • Germplasm/databases • Extension/grower guides • Websites/communities

A deep, practitioner‑oriented bibliography for peppers (Capsicum spp.). Entries are grouped by type and include notes on scope, strengths, and use‑cases. URLs are shown plainly. Latin binomials are italicized. This compilation emphasizes resources helpful for breeding, taxonomy, physiology, capsaicinoids, crop protection, and production.

Books and Monographs

Bosland, P.W.; Votava, E.J. (2012). Peppers: Vegetable and Spice Capsicums. CABI. https://www.cabi.org/bookshop/book/9781845938253 

Definitive agronomic and breeding reference covering botany, genetics, production, seed technology, and postharvest. Useful baseline for SOPs and cultivar selection.

Andrews, J. (1999). Peppers: The Domesticated Capsicums. University of Texas Press. https://utpress.utexas.edu/9780292707019/peppers/ 

Cultural history and domestication narrative; clear treatment of species and early dispersal—good context for origin-of-cultivar discussions.

DeWitt, D.; Bosland, P.W. (2009). The Complete Chile Pepper Book. Timber Press. https://www.timberpress.com/books/complete_chile_pepper_book/dewitt/9780881929201 

Accessible encyclopedic guide with practical cultivation advice and varietal overviews; strong photos for quick ID and marketing visuals.

Presilla, M.E. (2017). Peppers of the Americas. Ten Speed Press. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/247160/peppers-of-the-americas-by-maricel-e-presilla/ 

Rich ethnobotanical treatment with culinary and geographic breadth; excellent for storytelling, names, and culinary positioning.

Hunziker, A.T. (2001). The Genera of Solanaceae. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag. 

Taxonomic backbone of Solanaceae; keys and generic concepts that situate Capsicum relative to allied genera.

Heiser, C.B. (various). Papers and essays on Capsicum domestication and ethnobotany. 

Heiser’s classic works underpin modern views of pepper origins and early dispersal; helpful for framing domestication hypotheses.

DeWitt, D. (1999). The Chile Pepper Encyclopedia. William Morrow. 

Popular‑science reference with broad variety coverage; cross‑checks naming conventions and trade names with hobbyist usage.

Andrews, J. (1984/1995). Peppers: A Story of Hot and Sweet. University of North Texas Press. 

Accessible historical overview of sweet and hot peppers; useful narrative for public‑facing materials.

Loaiza-Figueroa, F.; et al. (eds.) (1992). Genetic Resources of Capsicum. CIAT proceedings. 

Conference compendium focusing on germplasm conservation and evaluation; snapshots of early core‑collection thinking.

Prohens, J.; Nuez, F. (Eds.) (2008). Handbook of Plant Breeding: Vegetables II (includes Capsicum chapter). Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-74110-9 

Breeding targets, genetic resources, and methodologies for peppers within a multi‑crop breeding volume.

Peer‑reviewed — Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Domestication

Carrizo García, C. et al. (2016). Phylogenetic relationships, diversification and expansion of Capsicum. Annals of Botany 118:35–51. https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/118/1/35/2208893 

Most cited modern phylogeny synthesizing molecular data; clarifies species‑level clades and centers of diversification.

Pickersgill, B. (1997). Genetic resources and breeding of Capsicum. Euphytica 96:129–133. 

Concise overview from a leading authority; helpful as a map of pre‑genomic era germplasm and traits.

Kraft, K.H. et al. (2014). Multiple lines of evidence for domestication of C. annuum in Mexico. PNAS 111:6165–6170. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1308933111 

Combines archaeobotanical, genetic, and linguistic data to argue for domestication in Mexico; essential for origin debates.

Walsh, B.M.; Hoot, S.B. (2001). Phylogenetic relationships of Capsicum using DNA sequences and morphology. Int. J. Plant Sci. 162:1409–1418. 

Bridges morphological and sequence data; useful for understanding earlier topology hypotheses.

Eshbaugh, W.H. (1970, 1979). Systematics of C. baccatum complex. Brittonia; Amer. J. Bot. 

Foundational biosystematics for the baccatum complex; informs cross‑compatibility expectations.

Genomes, Genomics, and Databases

Qin, C. et al. (2014). Whole‑genome sequencing of pepper provides insights into evolution of pungency. Nature Genetics 46:270–278. https://www.nature.com/articles/ng.2877 

Landmark genome; anchors gene family expansions (e.g., R‑genes) and pungency evolution.

Kim, S. et al. (2014). Genome sequence of the hot pepper illuminates the evolution of pungency. Nature Genetics 46:270–278 (companion/parallel). https://www.nature.com/articles/ng.2877 

Independent genome effort; together with Qin et al., frames reference assemblies and pathway inference.

Tripodi, P.; Greco, B. (2018). Genetic and genomic resources for pepper improvement. Plants 7:72. https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/7/3/72 

Survey of SNP arrays, GWAS, and genomic selection prospects; helpful for marker platform decisions.

Sol Genomics Network (SGN). https://solgenomics.net 

Community database for Solanaceae; gene models, markers, maps, and tools; critical for sequence and marker lookups.

Pepper genome portals (PepperHub/PepperGDR). 

Genome browsers, QTL catalogs, and marker sets. Use alongside SGN for cross‑validation.

Capsaicinoids, Metabolomics, and Pungency

Aza‑González, C.; Núñez‑Palenius, H.; Ochoa‑Alejo, N. (2011). Molecular biology of capsaicinoid biosynthesis. Plant Cell Reports 30:695–706. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00299-010-0999-1 

Widely cited review on the enzymes (AMT, BCAT, KAS, ACS, COMT) and regulation of capsaicinoid pathway.

Arce‑Rodríguez, M.; Ochoa‑Alejo, N. (2019). Biochemistry and molecular biology of capsaicinoid biosynthesis. Plant Cell Reports 38:101–117. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00299-018-2351-2 

Updated review with regulatory networks and developmental timing; handy for troubleshooting low‑heat phenotypes.

Stewart Jr., C.; Kasperbauer, M.; et al. (2005–2007). Pun1 and capsaicinoid pathway gene expression. The Plant Journal; Theor. Appl. Genet. 

Identifies Pun1 (AT3) as the key locus underlying pungency; practical for marker‑assisted selection.

Reproductive Biology, Crossing, and Interspecific Compatibility

Onus, A.N.; Pickersgill, B. (2004). Unilateral incompatibility in Capsicum. Annals of Botany 94:605–613. 

Key paper on pre‑ and post‑zygotic barriers among species; practical implications for bridge crosses and directionality.

Pickersgill, B. (1991). Cytogenetics and evolution of Capsicum. In: Chromosome Engineering in Plants. 

Cytogenetic context for pairing behavior and hybrid fertility; informs expectations for F1 vigor and F2 sterility.

Tong, N.; Bosland, P.W. (1999). C. chinense × C. frutescens hybridization and fertility. Euphytica 109:1–7. 

Applied crossing study; documents frequency and fertility of interspecific hybrids common in breeding programs.

Dogimont, C.; et al. (2010). Interspecific hybridization in Capsicum: achievements and prospects. Euphytica 168:107–121. 

Review of successful and attempted crosses, embryo rescue, and backcrossing strategies for trait introgression.

Embryo rescue protocols for Capsicum interspecific hybrids (protocol papers). 

Explains when to apply embryo rescue (e.g., C. pubescens crosses) and media used; useful for advanced breeding setups.

Pathology and Pests

Hausbeck, M.K.; Lamour, K.H. (2004). Phytophthora capsici on vegetable crops: research advances. Plant Disease 88:1292–1303. https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PDIS.2004.88.12.1292 

Core review of the most destructive pepper pathogen in warm, wet systems; informs rotation, resistance, and chemistries.

Ristaino, J.B.; Johnston, S.A. (1999). Ecologically based approaches to management of Phytophthora in peppers. Plant Disease 83:1220–1228. 

Cultural and ecological management emphasis; complements chemical control literature.

Kenyon, L.; Kumar, S.; et al. (2014). Viruses of pepper (Capsicum spp.). Advances in Virus Research 90:297–354. 

Comprehensive review of PMMoV, CMV, TSWV, and others; detection and resistance strategies.

Hodges, A.; et al. (various). Pepper weevil and thrips management (extension bulletins). 

Region‑specific IPM notes for key insect pests; useful for greenhouse vs field differences.

Postharvest and Processing

FAO — Postharvest handling and drying of chili peppers (technical notes). https://www.fao.org/in-action/infokit/en/ 

Moisture targets, airflow, and aflatoxin‑risk mitigation for dried red pepper; practical specs for QC.

Sreekanth, P.; Lakshmi, M.; et al. (2018). Postharvest physiology of chili peppers: a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 

Storage temperature, respiration, and chilling injury thresholds; informs cold‑chain and shelf‑life.

Agronomy, Propagation, and Seed Biology

NMSU Extension — Chile Pepper production guides. https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H-232.pdf 

Field establishment, fertility, irrigation, and cultivar notes tailored to arid regions; baseline production SOPs.

Cornell Cooperative Extension — Pepper culture guides. https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_180.pdf 

Northeast‑focused cultural calendar, transplant timing, and disease watch‑outs.

UC ANR — Peppers: production in California. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=7217 

Irrigation sets, plasticulture, fertigation, and IPM in Mediterranean climates.

ISTA rules & AOSA Seed Testing Handbook. https://www.seedtest.org 

Germination testing standards, substrate protocols, and dormancy‑breaking methods applicable to Capsicum.

ISTA germination matrices for Solanaceae. 

Official conditions for lab germ tests (substrate, temperature regimes); harmonizes QA across lots.

Germplasm and Taxonomic Portals

USDA ARS GRIN‑Global — Capsicum taxonomy and accessions. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx 

Primary U.S. repository of passport data and seed requests; essential for wild species and landraces.

Kew — Plants of the World Online (POWO). https://powo.science.kew.org 

Taxonomic status, synonyms, and distribution maps; cite for species lists and nomenclature checks.

GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility. https://www.gbif.org 

Occurrence data for mapping wild relatives and collecting sites; export for niche‑modeling work.

Genesys PGR — global genebank portal. https://www.genesys-pgr.org 

Aggregates accessions from global genebanks; cross‑reference with GRIN for duplicates and gaps.

Crop Wild Relatives & Climate Change portals. https://www.cwrdiversity.org 

Background on CWR conservation targeting; useful for strategic collecting and pre‑breeding planning.

Online Communities and Knowledge Hubs

Chile Pepper Institute (NMSU). https://cpi.nmsu.edu 

Research hub, outreach, and curated seed access; authoritative myth‑busting and cultivar info.

PepperFriends (IT). https://www.pepperfriends.org 

Extensive species/cultivar dossiers and forum archives; strong on wild types and European lines.

The Hot Pepper (forum). https://thehotpepper.com 

Large hobbyist/scientist hybrid community; grow logs, crossing reports, and troubleshooting with photos.

Fatalii’s Chilli Peppers. https://fatalii.net 

Long‑running grower resource with tutorials on germination, overwintering, crossing, and lighting.

The Chileman database (legacy). http://www.thechileman.org 

Legacy cultivar database used for cross‑checking names, aliases, and historical claims.

Semillas La Palma (vendor reference). https://www.semillas.de 

Catalog notes often include origin and type lines helpful for taxonomy/ID and market copy.

Texas A&M AgriLife — Vegetable resources (peppers). https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/vegetable-gardening-in-texas/peppers/ 

Region‑specific cultural guidance; transplant timing and heat management relevant to hot climates.