In vitro SEED GERMINATION OF CHILTEPIN PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum) AND PLANT REGENERATION VIA ORGANOGENESIS

Abstract

Chiltepin pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum) is a spice collected from wild plants under anthropogenic pressure due to irrational extraction. The low germination of its seeds, the growing demand for fruit, and the agricultural practices could threaten this species in the short term. This study aimed to establish the optimal conditions for in vitro germination and organogenesis of chiltepin pepper. Using in vitro techniques, it is possible to increase the germination percentages and induce the morphogenesis from seedlings. The design of the experiments was completely randomized with 5 or 10 repetitions, and the experimental units were seeds and explants. Seeds were disinfected with 20% NaOCl (v/v) for 15 min. We evaluated the effects of the GA3 concentration on in vitro germination and shoot lengthening; we also studied combinations of BAP and IAA on shoot induction and multiplication, as well as concentrations of IBA on rooting. By immersing seeds in 5.7 mM GA3 for 30 min and cultivating them in MS medium with 50% salt concentration added with GA3, we achieved an in vitro germination of 90%. Shoots were generated from nodal segments of in vitro seedlings with 11.1 mM BAP and 2.8 mM IAA. Shoot multiplication was obtained with these same combinations of plant growth regulators. Shoot lengthening was favored in MS medium with 11.5 mM GA3, and rooting was induced with 10.0 and 12.5 mM IBA. Gibberellic acid improves chiltepin pepper seed germination, and organogenesis from nodal segments from in vitro germinated seedlings is possible.