Intra and interspecific hybridization in the genus "capsicum"

Several crosses were made within and between Capsicum annuum L. and C. frutescens L., and intra- and inter-specific hybrids were produced. Five successful hybrids were obtained. Pollen viability was drastically reduced in the hybrids particularly in the inter-specific hybrids. It is suggested that there had been enough gene flow within and between the species under consideration to account for the occurrence of many strains of pepper in cultivation.