DIRECT SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT-REGENERATION FROM IMMATURE EMBRYOS OF CHILLI (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-L)

An in vitro regeneration protocol was developed in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) from immature zygotic embryos via direct somatic embryogenesis without involving intermediate callus. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), coconut water and high sucrose. Somatic embryos were first observed 15 days after culture. They proliferated directly from the embryonal axis and cotyledonary margins. Histological studies revealed the classical stages of embryo development. Both initiatiton and maturation was achieved on the same medium. Somatic embryos germinated into plantlets after placement on a sucrose medium with 1 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA). The plants regenerated in this study showed cytological and morphological uniformity.