CapGen Seeds reinforced its positioning in plant breeding during its participation in the World Vegetable Congress 2026, held last April in Almería, one of the leading international events focused on intensive horticulture, protected agriculture and varietal innovation.

As part of the World Parvispinus Congress, Laura Alonso López, Junior Pepper Breeder at CapGen Seeds, delivered the presentation “From Genes to the Field: Keys to Sustainable and Efficient Breeding in a Changing Pepper Environment”, focused on the impact of Thrips parvispinus and the role of plant genetics as a key tool to face new challenges in pepper cultivation.

How does Thrips parvispinus affect pepper crops?

Thrips parvispinus, one of the main threats to pepper cultivation, has become a major concern in protected agriculture due to its rapid spread, strong adaptability and the difficulty of controlling it through conventional strategies.

This pest currently has a direct impact on production, commercial quality and crop stability, forcing the intensive horticulture sector to seek new, more sustainable and efficient solutions.

In this context, CapGen Seeds highlighted that the challenge is no longer only the emergence of new pepper pests, but also the speed at which they evolve and adapt to available tools, making an approach based on integrated management, biological control and plant breeding increasingly necessary.

“Genetics allows us to anticipate these scenarios. We are not talking about temporary solutions, but about developing materials capable of maintaining stability under real cultivation conditions,” explained Laura Alonso during her presentation.

Plant breeding and resistances: key factors for the future of pepper cultivation

The presentation emphasized the importance of plant breeding in developing new pepper varieties capable of offering greater agronomic stability under stress conditions, pest pressure and changing growing environments.

To achieve this, CapGen Seeds works with germplasm banks, elite lines and advanced populations within its applied plant genetics programs for pepper cultivation.

The objective is to develop pepper varieties integrating:

• resistances
• production stability
• adaptation to demanding cycles
• vegetative and generative balance
• consistent performance under real pest and disease pressure

All materials are evaluated under real protected agriculture conditions, allowing the selection of hybrids with differentiated performance against Thrips parvispinus and other common intensive horticulture challenges.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of plant architecture and trichome presence, factors that may influence plant-insect interaction and support natural defense mechanisms within integrated crop management.

Plant genetics, a key component of integrated management

Following the presentation, Laura Alonso participated in the congress technical round table, where experts discussed the future of integrated management in pepper crops and the need to combine different agronomic tools to address new industry challenges.

The discussion highlighted that plant breeding must act as a strategic complement to biological control and agronomic management, especially in a scenario marked by the progressive reduction of available active substances for growers.

One of the main conclusions was that the plant itself must be understood as an active part of the solution against emerging pepper pests.

From research to the field: varieties adapted to intensive horticulture

CapGen Seeds’ breeding strategy is directly reflected in its varietal portfolio and in the new solutions developed to respond to the real needs of professional growers.

Recently introduced materials include:

• Panoramix, a pear tomato for export markets with high stability and resistances
• Tentación, a black watermelon with outstanding internal quality
• Jarama, a new cucumber adapted to demanding growing conditions
• The “Los Guardianes del Pimiento” range of red California peppers, developed to provide agronomic security, resistances and production continuity under protected agriculture

All these varieties share the same philosophy: developing materials prepared for an increasingly technical and professional intensive horticulture sector shaped by new agronomic and phytosanitary challenges.

Innovation applied to growers

Graduated in Biotechnology and holding a Master’s Degree in Agri-food Biotechnology, Laura Alonso is part of the CapGen Seeds breeding team, where she works on pepper breeding programs focused on developing varieties adapted to the real needs of the market and professional growers.

With this participation, CapGen Seeds reinforces its commitment to applied innovation, knowledge transfer and the development of plant genetics-based solutions to address the future of pepper cultivation under protected agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thrips parvispinus in Pepper

What is Thrips parvispinus?
Thrips parvispinus is an emerging pest that particularly affects pepper crops, causing damage to flowers, fruits and vegetative development, as well as losses in yield and commercial quality.

How can plant breeding help against Thrips parvispinus?
Plant breeding makes it possible to develop pepper varieties better adapted to stress conditions and with traits that improve tolerance or performance against certain pests.

Why is genetics important in integrated pest management?
Genetics acts as a complementary tool alongside biological control and agronomic management, helping to build more sustainable and stable crop strategies.

What did CapGen Seeds present at the World Vegetable Congress?
CapGen Seeds presented its vision on the role of pepper breeding in addressing new agricultural challenges such as Thrips parvispinus, as well as new varieties adapted to demanding growing conditions.