This study evaluated the regional adaptability of 20 chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L .) accessions from the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) under Korean field conditions over two consecutive growing seasons (2024–2025), using commercial cultivars as controls. Seedling vigor, vegetative growth, fruit characteristics, capsaicinoid content, and disease incidence were comprehensively assessed to identify genetic resources with high breeding potential for climate-resilient production. Significant accession-dependent variation was observed in seedling vigor, plant architecture, fruit morphology, yield, and marketability. Although excessive soil moisture and suboptimal field conditions negatively affected overall plant growth and productivity in both years, distinct differences among accessions remained evident. Accessions producing smaller, slender fruits generally exhibited lower disease and pest incidence and higher marketability compared with large-fruited types. Capsaicinoid analysis revealed substantial variation among accessions, and discrepancies between Pun1 marker genotypes and measured capsaicinoid levels highlighted limitations in marker-based pungency prediction. In 2024, AVPP22009 showed the highest capsaicinoid content and strong pest tolerance despite its small fruit size, whereas AVPP22002 displayed desirable fruit morphology but greater susceptibility to damage. In 2025, AVPP2070, AVPP2072, and AVPP22072 demonstrated superior growth and marketability, coupled with relatively low disease incidence. These findings emphasize the importance of an integrated evaluation of morphological, biochemical, and resistance traits in selecting breeding materials. The identified accessions represent valuable genetic resources for developing chili pepper cultivars with enhanced heat tolerance, disease resistance, and stable productivity under changing climatic conditions. This study provides foundational insights to support sustainable chili pepper breeding strategies in Korea.

ABSTRACT
서 언
재료 및 방법
    1. 2024년
    2. 2025년
결과 및 고찰
    1. 묘소질 특성
    2. 식물체 특성
    3. 과실 특성
    4. 병 저항성
결 론
    1. 2024년
    2. 2025년
적 요
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES

• 이세형(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Sehyoung Lee (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 이주원(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Joowon Lee (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 박종원(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Jongwon Park (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 이건희(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Gunhee Lee (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 이은지(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Eunji Lee (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 주유진(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Yujin Joo (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 김지우(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Jiwoo Kim (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)
• 장성회(세계채소센터 한국사무소) | Seonghoe Jang (World Vegetable Center Korea Office, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea) Corresponding author
• 여경환(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 채소기초기반과) | Kyung-Hwan Yeo (Vegetable Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea) Corresponding author
• 유나리(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 채소기초기반과) | Nari Yu (Vegetable Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea)