Somatic and Gametic Embryogenesis to Improve Chilli Pepper (Capsicum Annum L.)

Abstract

Under this study, three experiments were conducted on somatic embryogenesis (SE), i.e., (i) in vitro improvement of calluses and its subsequent regeneration, (ii) direct organogenesis from different explants, and (iii) effect of PGRs and AgNO3 on callus induction and regeneration of chilli cultivars in Bangladesh. Another two experiments were done on gametic embryogenesis (GE), i.e., (i) embryoids induction and plant regeneration via anther culture, and (ii) effects of cold stress pre-treatment factors on another culture responses in chilli cultivars. Six chilli cultivars of Bangladesh (three local e.g Boltu, Bullet and Halda and three hybrids e.g., Kulali, California wonder and yellow wonder) were taken for in vitro improvement and its subsequent regeneration. Among the studied genotypes Bullet showed highest percentage (97.10%) for seed germination in in vitro culture whereas in the field condition the Bullet showed 67.20% germination. The variety yellow wonder showed best performance on callus induction (98.60%) followed by Boltu (97.80%) and Bullet (96.20%) with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D + 2.0 mg/l kin. For regeneration, Bullet produced the highest regenerated plantlets (71.40%) from cotyledonary explants which cultured on MS medium in addition with 0.50 mg/l kinetin. The highest number (76.40%) of shoot elongation was observed for yellow wonder from cotyledonary explants followed by Kulali (71.60%) and California wonder (70.80%). Among the tested PGRs combination kinetin (0.5 mg/l) and GA3 (1.0 mg/l) showed better results on shoot elongation (76.40%). Highest rooting was observed in Halda (98%) and Boltu (98%) which cultured on MS medium supplemented with IAA (0.5 mg/l) and kinetin (0.1 mg/l). In the present study, simple and suitable protocols on callus induction of the selected chilli genotypes were established for somatic embryogenesis…………………………