BACKGROUND: Polygalacturonase (PG) genes regulate plant organ abscission by degrading pectin in the cell wall. However, their association with pedicel abscission susceptibility in pepper remains poorly understood. METHODS: 47 CaPG genes were identified were identified in the 'Zunla1' genome and characterized by structural, evolutionary, and comparative genomic analyses. Their expression profiles across various tissues and fruit development stages were examined using transcriptome data. Ethephon treatment and qRT-PCR were employed to assess gene responses during ethylene-induced pedicel absciss...
