In vitro propagation of Capsicum chinense Jacq.

An efficient micropropagation protocol was established for Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. Umorok, a pungent chilli cultivar. Shoot-tip explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing cytokinins (22.2 - 88.8 mu M 6-benzylaminopurine, BAP, 23.2 - 93.0 mu M kinetin, Kin, or 22.8 - 91.2 mu M zeatin, Z) alone or in combination with 5.7 mu M indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Maximum number of shoots were induced on medium containing 91.2 mu M Z or 31.1 mu M BAP with 4.7 mu M Kin. The separated shoots rooted and elongated on medium containing 2.5 or 4.9 mu M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Axillary shoots were induced from in vitro raised plantlets by decapitating them. The axillary shoot-tip explants were used for further multiple shoot buds induction. A maximum of about 150 plantlets were obtained from a single seedling. Hardened and acclimatized plantlets were successfully established in the soil.