# Construction and Evaluation of Pepper Core Collection Based on Phenotypic Traits and SSR Markers
## 3 Results
### Determination of Overall Sample Retention Ratio  
The optimal retention scheme for peppers was identified by evaluating the RPR, CR, CVR, and Hi across 24 schemes. Analysis showed a positive correlation between RPR and sample size, with a gradual increase (Table 3). Using an RPR threshold of \(>\)90%, the retention ratios for the simple ratio, logarithmic ratio, square root ratio, and diversity ratio schemes were 20%, 15%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. CR values also increased gradually, with retention ratios of 20%, 15%, 15%, and 15% based on a CR standard of \(>\)85%. An increase in CVR indicated a better representation of genetic diversity in the core collection. All 24 schemes had a CVR exceeding 100%, demonstrating their effectiveness in preserving the original population's diversity while eliminating samples with complex traits. The Hi, which reflects phenotypic diversity and uniformity, showed a non-linear correlation with sample size. With a Hi threshold of \(>\)0.9, the 5% logarithmic, 5% square root, and 5% diversity retention samples did not meet the criterion, while the remaining 21 schemes exceeded it. Thus, the new germplasm group effectively preserved the phenotypic traits of the original pepper variety, increased the coefficient of variation, and reduced genetic redundancy with an overall sample size of 25%.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c} \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Grouping**} & **Number of Resource** & **Simple Sample** & **Diversity Index (Hi)** \\  & **Shares** & **Retention Ratio (\%)** & **Diversity Index (Hi)** \\ \hline var. _fiscicultatum_ & 9 & 5.81\% & 0.6699 \\ [PERSON] & 16 & 10.32\% & 0.6905 \\ var. _crosssum_ [PERSON] & 3 & 1.94\% & 0.3833 \\ var. _conoides_ [PERSON] & 11 & 7.10\% & 0.8294 \\ var. _longum_ [PERSON] & 116 & 74.84\% & 0.7729 \\ Total & 155 & 100.00\% & 0.7954 * \\ \hline \end{tabular}  
* Diversity index of original germplasm.  
\end{table}
Table 2: Grouping of ecology and genetic diversity analysis in primary germplasm.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c c c} \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Intragroup**} & **Overall** & **Ratio of** & & **Change Rate** & \\
**Retention** & **Sample** & **Phenotypic** & **Coincidence** & **of** & **Genetic** \\
**Ratio** & **Retention** & **Retention** & **Rate of** & **Coefficient** & **Diversity** \\
**Method** & **Ratio** & **(RPR)** & **Range (CR)** & **of Variation** & **Index (Hi)** \\ \hline  & 5\% & 79.80\% & 75.76\% & 122.82\% & 0.9466 \\  & 10\% & 82.83\% & 77.64\% & 122.42\% & 0.9118 \\ Simple & 15\% & 88.89\% & 82.15\% & 129.47\% & 0.9521 \\ sample & 20\% & 92.93\% & 85.07\% & 130.53\% & 0.9589 \\ retention & 25\% & 94.95\% & 86.11\% & 133.15\% & 0.9582 \\  & 30\% & 94.95\% & 86.11\% & 134.62\% & 0.9284 \\ \hline  & 5\% & 74.75\% & 74.51\% & 116.81\% & 0.8728 \\ Logarithmic & 10\% & 88.89\% & 84.03\% & 148.98\% & 0.9364 \\ retention & 15\% & 91.92\% & 85.07\% & 151.50\% & 0.9545 \\ sample & 20\% & 94.95\% & 86.11\% & 149.65\% & 0.9378 \\  & 25\% & 95.96\% & 87.15\% & 152.83\% & 0.9383 \\  & 30\% & 96.97\% & 89.24\% & 156.15\% & 0.9397 \\ \hline  & 5\% & 76.77\% & 74.51\% & 171.23\% & 0.8793 \\ Square root & 10\% & 86.87\% & 82.99\% & 173.85\% & 0.9286 \\ retention & 15\% & 91.92\% & 85.07\% & 175.95\% & 0.9491 \\ sample & 20\% & 93.94\% & 86.11\% & 177.62\% & 0.9537 \\  & 25\% & 96.97\% & 87.15\% & 181.75\% & 0.9517 \\  & 30\% & 96.97\% & 88.19\% & 183.05\% & 0.9336 \\ \hline \end{tabular}  
* Diversity index of original germplasm.  
\end{table}
Table 3: Evaluation parameters for 24 pre-core subsets.