Effects of L-Proline and Cold Treatment on Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Anther Culture

Comparison of cold-shock treatments (at 4 degrees C for 48 and 96 h) of pepper buds with a control (not subjected to cold treatments) has no effect on the production of embryo from cultured pepper anthers. The effects of cold shock treatments were not changed when the L-proline was added to the induction medium (40, 125 and 500 mg L-1). Cold treated anthers showed a lower response or non response than control anthers. Regeneration frequency did not appear to be affected by the presence of L-proline in the induction medium. The highest numbers of embryos (12.5 embryos/100 anthers) were obtained from the control anthers that were cultured on induction medium, MS medium, containing 4 mg L-1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 1 mg L-1 benzyladenine (BA) and activated charcoal without L-proline.