IN VITRO CLONAL PROPAGATION OF NAGA KING CHILLI (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)

Shoot tip explants were used to standardize the protocol for plantlet regeneration of Naga King Chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) at the Department of Horticulture, Nagaland University. Shoot tips (1-2 cm) were cultured on MS medium supplemented with either BAP or KIN @ 0-8 mg L-1 respectively for shoot proliferation, alone and in combination with 0.5 mg L-1 IAA. The medium containing 8 mg L-1 BAP + 0.5 mg L-1 IAA recorded the maximum response (83.33%) for shoot proliferation. After six weeks of culture, maximum shoots (3.39) and shoot length (1.3cm) was recorded in the same medium which was further taken up for further sub culturing upto third cycle. MS basal medium was used for further elongation of the regenerated shoot buds. MS medium supplemented with auxins viz. IBA and IAA @ 0 - 1.5 mg L-1 alone was used for root formation. 1mg L-1 IBA enriched media recorded highest number of functional roots (11.36 per explant) and the rooted plantlets were acclimatized in pre-sterilized moist cocopeat, sand and farmyard Manure @ 1:1:1 ratio and were maintained under shade condition