In Vitro Mutation of Capsicum annuum L.var. Kulai by Gamma Radiation

The present work was carried out to investigate the effects of gamma radiation on regeneration of Capsicum annuum L. var Kulai via in vitro. Seeds of C. annuum were irradiated with various doses of gamma ray (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 Gy) emitted from the Caesium-137 source at the rate of 4.31 Gy per minute. Irradiated seeds grown on MS medium without hormone for hypocotyl and cotyledon preparation as explant for in vitro regeneration. Seed germination rate revealed significant variation between treatments, and seeds started to germinate between 6 to 17 days. Irradiated seeds between 0-60 Gy were observed to germinate in less than 10 days. All explants including hypocotyl and cotyledon were cultured on MS medium with different concentrations of BAP in combination with AgNO3 to observe the response of these explants to different hormone concentrations. From the observation, calluses were induced in 90% of hypocotyl and cotyledon explants in all treatments. The characteristics of calluses were varied with greenish friable, greenish compact, yellowish watery, yellowish friable and yellowish compact. In other treatments, calluses were found in purple, bright yellow and yellowish orange. On the other hand, shoot regeneration was observed in treatment between 40-100 Gy. In conclusion, gamma radiation gave impact on seed germination, seedling growth performance, in vitro callus formation and shoot regeneration of Capsicum annuum var. Kulai