The effect of four mutated genes affecting anthocyanin biosynthesis was inv
estigated relative to tomato and pepper germination capacities and early se
edlings and plantlets growth. The study was performed on isogenic/near isog
enic lines (IL/NIL) differing for genes ah ( Hoffmann's anthocyaninless), a
w ( anthocyanin without) and bls (baby lea syndrome) in tomato and al (anth
ocyaninless - 1) in pepper. Germination responses of the IL/NILs showed tha
t genes ah, aw and bls in tomato and al in pepper enhanced germination abil
ities under stress conditions regardless of the inherent seed properties th
at imparted rapid germination. This evaluation was conducted with four very
different types of stress: 13 degreesC, 33 degreesC, 120 mM NaCl and 15% P
EG-6000 water solutions. The four genes exercised no effect on root and hyp
ocotyl elongation under the same stress conditions and their effect on plan
tlets growth varied depending on the genotype and the treatment. The useful
ness of genes ah, aw, bls and al in breeding tomato and pepper cultivars to
lerant to adverse climatic conditions at germination when used as a morphol
ogical marker, is discussed.