PLANT-REGENERATION FROM PROTOPLASTS OF CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-L CV CALIFORNIA WONDER

Plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of pepper, Capsicum annu um L. cv. California Wonder has been demonstrated via shoot organogene sis, Protoplasts isolated from fully expanded leaves of 3-week-old axe nic shoots when cultured in TM medium supplemented with 1 mgl(-1) NAA, 1 mgl(-1) 2, 4-D, 0.5 mgl(-1) BAP (CM 1) resulted in divisions with a frequency ranging from 20-25%. Antioxidant ascorbic acid and polyviny lpyrrolidone (PVP) in the medium and incubation in the dark helped ove rcome browning of protoplasts. Microcalli and macrocalli were formed i n TM medium containing 2 mgl(-1) NAA and 0.5 mgl(-1) BAP (CM II) and M S gelled medium containing 2 mgl(-1) NAA and 0.5 mgl(-1) BAP (CM III), respectively, Regeneration of plantlets was possible via caulogenesis , Microshoots, 2-5 per callus appeared on MS gelled medium enriched wi th 0.5 mgl(-1) IAA, 2 mgl(-1) GA and 10 mgl(-1) BAP (CM IVc). Rooting of microshoots was obtained on half strength gelled medium containing 1 mgl(-1) NAA and 0.5 mgl(-1) BAP, Protoplasts isolated from cotyledon s failed to divide and degenerated eventually.