Micropropagation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) through in vitro direct organogenesis

An efficient procedure of in vitro plant regeneration through direct shoot bud induction was tested for different explants of Capsicum annuum L. The best performance was observed for cotyledons on MS medium containing 6 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine and 1 mg L-1 indole-3-butyric acid. Regeneration for other types of explants (i.e., shoot tip, hypocotyl and root) did not show satisfactory results because the explants did not develop into normal shoots but instead developed into calli after 12 days of culture. Histochemical analysis showed that only the cotyledons revealed a direct induction of more teratological protuberances that arose around the cut end of the explants. Elongation of shoot buds was obtained on MS medium containing 1 mg L-1 BAP + 0.5 mg L-1 indole-3-butyric acid. Regenerated shoots rooted best on the same medium on which also elongation was realized. After hardening, the rooted plants were transferred to the greenhouse conditions where they grew, matured and flowered normally with a survival rate of 85%. We concluded that the present protocol can be efficiently used for mass propagation of sweet peppe