MORPHOGENETIC RESPONSES INVITRO OF HYPOCOTYL TISSUES OF CHILI-PEPPER (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-L) TO GROWTH-REGULATORS

Cultured hypoctyl sections of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L., ancho type, var. Esmeralda) derived from aseptically germinated seedlings were evaluated on the basis of their morphogenetic responses to combinations of IAA with BA, Kin or 2iP, and NAA or 2, 4-D with BA. Shoot and root differentiation and callus formation were observed on the cut ends of the explants after eight weeks of incubation under continuous light at 25 +/- 2-degrees-C. Regeneration of adventitious shoots was more prolific in explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS) containing 5-50-mu-M IAA plus either 25-50-mu-M BA or 2iP, whereas rhizogenesis predominated in hypocotyl segments incubated on media supplemented with IAA or NAA alone (1-50-mu-M). IAA induced compact callus at all the concentrations tested (1-50-mu-M). NAA produced compact or friable callus depending on the quantity added to the medium, whereas 2, 4-D elicited friable callus development.