Studies on isolated microspore embryoid induction of C. annuum L.

A system to improve isolated microspore embryoid induction rate of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was studied in this paper. The results showed that low-temperature pretreatment, growth regulators combinations, activated carbon concentrations, and preculture temperatures were critical factors affecting embryoid formation of isolated pepper microspores in vitro. One day after pretreatment of the buds at 4°C, the anthers that differentiated and developed into embryos were cultured in double-layer medium system for one week at 7°C and then went on culturing at 28°C in darkness. All the seven genotypes of the tested pepper responded to this protocol. The embryoid induction rate of the best genotype increased from 81.11% to 147.22%. This protocol can be used as a potential tool for producing doubled haploid plants for pepper breeding.