Effect of explants and genotypes on primary somatic embryogenesis in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract

Influence of various fruit-derived explants and different genotypes on induction of somatic embryogenesis in black pepper was studied. Among the various explants cultured on plant growth regulator-free solid SH medium maintained in dark, the 'abortively germinated seeds in vitro' produced the highest percent response as well as number of somatic embryos per responded explant. Lowest percent response and frequency of somatic embryos were evident with the 'unripened green fruits with zygotic embryo removed'. Zygotic embryos as such failed to produce any somatic embryogenic response. Of the various genotypes tested, cultivar 'Karimunda' was found to be highly embryogenic and cultivar 'Kutching' was totally non embryogenic. Other cultivars showed variable degree of embryogenic response. © 2005 The Japan Mendel Society.