Microbial  analysis
To investigate differences in endophytic microbial communities between parental and hybrid generations of pepper varieties and their impact on hybrid phenotypes, thereby elucidating the association between endophytic microbiota and heterosis in peppers. Endophytic microbiota in root, stem, leaf tissues, and fruit organs of one paternal line, three distinct maternal lines, and their three hybrid offspring were profiled using 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer ITS gene sequencing.