Coir Pith as a Acclimatizing Medium for Micropropagated Capsicum SP

Micropropagation system was developed through an enriched culture system for Capsicum annum L. of a traditional medicinal plant and nutritionally important spice crop. Proliferation of shoots were achieved on MS medium supplemented with 13 g l-1 sucrose, 8 g l-1 agar and fortified with benzyladenine (BAP) in the rage of 0.2 -1mg/l. A higher number of shoots were observed on an enriched MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/l BAP. Then the shoots were subjected for root induction with the concentration of 1mg/ml. For the multiple shoot induction different combination of hormones were used. The well-developed microshoots were transferred to rooting medium supplemented with IAA (1.0mg/l) for efficient rooting. The well developed plants were transferred for hardening with coir pith, because of its water holding capacity, C: N ration, pH and the porosity. The efficiency was achieved around 90 % survival of the micropropagated plants.