Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Regeneration in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L)

Plant regeneration protocol through somatic embryogenesis, was developed from whole cotyledon explants of two local cultivars of chilli, Byadagi Dabbi and Sankeshwar Local. Explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with different levels of thidiazuron (TDZ) (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0mg/l) induced somatic embryos and the best response was at 3mg/l TDZ. On an average, 51.3 percent explants responded in both the genotypes with over nine embryos per explant. Complete plantlet formation occurred on MS with 3mg/ABA or 2mg/l IBA. Among the different levels of ABA, IBA and higher levels of agar tried for maturation of somatic embryos and germination, ABA 3mg/l was found to be better.