Induced androgenesis of Capsicum frutescens L.

Abstract

The aim of the research was to make a preliminary determination of the effectiveness of the induction of haploids in Capsicum frutescens L. In order to induce androgenesis red and yellow fruit forms of species were used, each bred by the researchers on their own. The experiment was performed in October. Anther cultures were conducted according to a modified method developed by Dumas et al. (1981) for C. annuum L. The anthers were laid on CP medium containing 0.01 mg dm⁻³ 2.4-D and 0.01 mg dm⁻³ kinetin, with the addition of 0.5 g dm⁻³ of activated carbon and 5 mg×dm⁻³ of silver nitrate, solidified with 8 g dm⁻³ of agar. The cultures were incubated in the dark at 35 deg C for 8 days. Next they were transferred to 25 deg C under a 12-hour photoperiod. After 14 days of induction, anthers were transferred to R₁ medium supplemented with 0.1 mg dm⁻³ kinetin. Obtained embryos were subsequently transplanted onto V₃ hormone-free medium and well growing plants were planted in greenhouses. The efficiency of androgenesis for both C. frutescens L. forms was relatively low and it did not exceed 5%. The ploidy level of the resulting plants was determined by flow-cytometric analysis. The regenerants consisted of about equal numbers of haploids and diploids. Additionally, among plants regenerated from anthers of yellow fruit forms, two mixoploids were observed.