MICROPROPAGATION OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM L

An efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for Capsicum annuum L. cv. 'Morok Amuba', an ornamental chilli cultivar using shoo-tip and axillary shoot-tip explants. Multiple shoot buds were induced from shoot-tip explants on MS medium containing cytokinins alone or in combination with IAA. A maximum number of shoot buds was induced on MS medium containing 10 mg/l Zea followed by 5 mg/l BAP in combination with 1 mg/l IAA. Rooting and elongation of the shoot buds were achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IAA or IBA. Axillary shoots were induced on the rooted plantlets by decapitation and the axillary shoot-tips explants were used for further induction of shoot buds by culturing them on a medium containing combinations of BAP with IAA. The shoot buds were rooted on a medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA. The plantlets showed 80-90% survival during transplantation.