Studies on in vitro propagation in hot pepper

In vitro regeneration of two commercially important varieties of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) viz., Punjab Surkh and Punjab Guchhedar was achieved by direct organogenesis. The epicotyl explants excised from aseptically grown 16, 24 and 32-day-old seedlings were utilized. In both the varieties, 24-day-old epicotyl explant was found relatively more responsive to the initiation of multiple shoots. Multiple average shoots per explant (1.48) were produced by Punjab Guchhedar with MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mgl⁻¹ BAP, 2.0 mgl⁻¹ Kin and 1.0 mgl⁻¹ IAA and Punjab Surkh (1.53) on MS medium supplemented with 6.0 mgl⁻¹ BAP, 3.0 mgl⁻¹ Kin and 1.0 mgl⁻¹ IAA. For elongation, shoot buds were excised and transferred to shoot elongation medium (MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mgl⁻¹ BAP, 0.5 mgl⁻¹ IAA and 1.0 mgl⁻¹ GA₃). After 12–16 days of culture, elongated shoots were cultured on rooting medium i.e., MS medium (half strength) supplemented with 0.5 mgl⁻¹ IBA for 8 days followed by 6 days on MS (half strength) basal medium. About 60–65 per cent rooted plants were hardened, transferred in the polythene bags and then earthen pots.