In February 2025, China’s sweet pepper variety Jingjiao 9, developed by Hainan Boshuo Seed Industry Co., became the first Chinese sweet pepper variety to be granted plant variety protection (PVP) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This development signifies a breakthrough for Chinese plant breeders in gaining international recognition, particularly in markets traditionally dominated by multinational seed companies.
What Makes Jingjiao 9 Stand Out?
This variety was developed over four years of breeding efforts, combining off-season breeding cycles between Henan and Hainan in China. Jingjiao 9 exhibits multiple high-performance traits:
- Strong resistance to bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum), a major yield-limiting disease in solanaceous crops.
- High heat tolerance, making it suitable for summer cultivation in hot climates.
- Excellent fruit quality and marketability, ideal for both domestic premium markets and export regions such as the western United States, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Global Context of the Certification:
The USDA Plant Variety Protection Office reports that between March 2021 and March 2025, only 16 pepper varieties received PVP in the U.S.—15 from Bayer’s Seminis Vegetable Seeds and one from Syngenta. Jingjiao 9 is now the 17th, and notably, the first from China. It joins a highly exclusive group in a market long dominated by European and American breeding giants.
Sweet peppers are a high-value crop globally, with demand growing in regions with extreme temperatures that require robust genetics for summer or winter cultivation. Key markets include:
- Winter-growing regions: U.S. East Coast, Europe, Israel, and China.
- Summer-growing regions: U.S. West Coast, Middle East, Egypt, and southern China.
China’s Seed Industry on the Rise:
Hainan Boshuo Seed Industry Co., founded 13 years ago, has focused intensively on tomato, hot pepper, and sweet pepper breeding. Their approach includes:
- Over 6,000 breeding combinations tested in sweet pepper.
- Dozens of commercial varieties selected.
- Seasonal breeding between Henan (spring) and Hainan (winter), using accelerated generation advancement.
In addition to Jingjiao 9, the company has established partnerships with over 10 international firms and is expanding its global seed export presence, aiming to compete in high-value vegetable seed markets.
The USDA’s recognition of Jingjiao 9 marks not only a scientific and commercial milestone for China but also a shift in global agricultural breeding dynamics. As Chinese companies gain technical strength and international credibility, the global seed industry becomes more diversified. For farmers and agronomists worldwide, this offers access to a broader genetic base and potential for higher-performing, disease-resistant cultivars tailored to diverse climates.
