Researchers from the Plant Genetic Resources Bank (BRGV) will present six scientific papers at the International Horticultural Congress (IHC-2026) to be held in Kyoto, Japan, documenting the hottest chilli varieties developed, with concentrations of up to 2,600,000 Scoville units, as well as research on bitter cucumber and Sideritis, both valued for their medicinal applications, studies on iris flowers and a basil collection.

The first of the papers with which BRGV Buzau will participate in the IHC, from 23 to 28 August, concerns four chilli varieties, two of which have the highest capsaicin concentrations in the institution's collection.

'We have six papers, two of which I am coordinating. One concerns chilli peppers, presenting a brief history of chilli breeding in Romania and particularly in Buzau, because we have managed to develop several varieties over time. Buzau has a tradition in pepper breeding. The oldest chilli variety cultivated in Romania is believed to have been recognised here. It is a special pepper called Cornul caprei [Goat's horn in English], which was used by growers for pickling and also in traditional products such as Buzau Babic and Plescoi sausages, culinary products that have achieved national and international recognition. I will talk about the germplasm bank, which comprises more than 1,000 genotypes, how they were obtained and give a brief description of the six varieties developed by the team I coordinate. These include the Cornul caprei - Decebal chilli pepper, another pepper called Roial, our recent achievement Grigoras, a valuable variety, Vlaicu, Halep, the variety with the highest capsaicin concentration, making it extremely hot, and Ciprian, our latest creation, which is currently undergoing registration and is particularly suitable for paprika production. In 2016, in Brisbane, Australia, we presented a chilli pepper line that was highly regarded at the time, with a concentration of more than 2,400,000 Scoville units. We have now reached around 2,600,000 units. Halep is the hottest commercial variety, which has already been included in the national and European catalogues, approaching 2 million Scoville units. We also have other creations under research, including the Grigoras line crossed with Habanero, from which a genotype has been obtained with concentrations exceeding around 2,600,000 Scoville units,' BRGV director Costel Vinatoru told AGERPRES.

The plant has been extensively studied and cultivated for scientific purposes by specialists, given the multiple uses of capsaicin, the substance responsible for the heat of chilli peppers.

'We are talking about a food plant and a medicinal plant. As is known, capsaicin is widely used in various medicines, primarily anti-inflammatory drugs. There are also chilli pepper extracts used to combat alcoholism. Few people know that as capsaicin concentration increases, the vitamin C content of the fruit also increases. Then there are other valuable and concentrated substances, such as carotene and lycopene, which the body does not produce and obtains through food. We should also not forget the use of capsaicin in the self-defence industry,' the researcher points out.

The second paper that the BRGV Buzau director will present in Kyoto concerns the history of bitter cucumber acclimatisation in Romania and the development of the first domestic varieties.

 
'The second paper focuses on Momordica charantia, the bitter cucumber. We were pioneers in acclimatising the species in Romania and then managed to develop Romanian varieties. The first was Rodeo, followed by Brancusi, Amiral and the latest, Palade. We also have line 6 and another line 7 under development, which will also be registered. This is a new species, unknown to the general public, with many uses. In Romania, it is not accepted or appreciated as an edible vegetable plant, but it has been somewhat embraced by Romanians, more out of necessity. In the scientific world, we are talking about a plant that can benefit people with diabetes, with many applications in the medical field. It is consumed by people with high blood sugar levels, those at risk of obesity and those with gallbladder, liver or pancreatic problems. It is a plant that helps balance the body's nutrition. Although we do not focus heavily on its medicinal benefits, because our research colleagues in this field study the effects of these fruits and the plant in depth, we are pleased that we managed to bring the species to Romania, acclimatise it, develop varieties and even see medicines officially produced from its fruit in pharmacies,' Costel Vinatoru said.

Four other papers authored by BRGV Buzau researchers Matilda Popescu, Bianca Musat, Camelia Bratu and Geanina Negosanu will be presented during the scientific sessions held as part of IHC-2026 in Japan.

 
'My colleague Geanina Negosanu will present Sideritis cypria, a novelty for this part of Europe, as it has never been cultivated in Romania. It is a valuable medicinal plant and an ornamental plant that can also significantly reduce pollution, particularly by absorbing dust and suspended particles from the air. We also have another paper on Momordica charantia, prepared and coordinated by researcher Bianca Musat. This paper presents the qualitative and biochemical characteristics of the varieties we have developed. Then we have a paper coordinated by my colleague Matilda Popescu, concerning iris. We are looking at new perspectives for propagation and breeding of this species. As we know, iris is most often propagated vegetatively, but a seed propagation method has been developed. There are many varieties on the market, but not much work has been done on iris in Romania. We have a rich collection comprising more than 50 varieties, 47 of which we have included in our research. Finally, we have a paper on basil genotypes, led and prepared by researcher Camelia Bratu. We are talking about our registered basil varieties, Athos, Miron, Savarsin and Teodor, varieties that have been entered in the official catalogue with distinctive and specific characteristics,' the head of the research team said.

The acceptance of the papers and their presentation at the IHC represent recognition of the work carried out by specialists from Buzau in recent years in the field of horticulture, the institution's management believes.

'This is the IHC, the largest horticultural congress, organised by the International Society for Horticultural Science, a global congress held every four years. Specialists from all continents attend this congress and it is the highest-level scientific congress in our field. We have to rise to the occasion to showcase Romania and put it on the international scientific map, even if financial resources are limited. As a new institution, these scientific papers certify our work and help make it known,' Costel Vinatoru concluded.

The Buzau Plant Genetic Resources Bank for vegetable crops, floriculture, aromatic and medicinal plants is a public research institution under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its main activities are the exploration, inventory, collection, research and development and conservation of plant genetic resources. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Florin Zafiu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)

Photo: (C) Florin Zafiu/AGERPRES