Journal of Applied Genetics 46(1), 2005, pp. 19-24

Induction and characterization of streptomycin-resistant mutants in Capsicum praetermissum

Peddaboina Venkataiah, Thamidala Christopher, Karampuri Subhash

Abstract: Streptomycin-resistant mutants were isolated from mutagenised cotyledon explants of Capsicum praetermissum Heiser & Smith. The explants were mutagenised with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, which resulted in a high frequency of streptomycin-resistant mutants (18.0%) and a low frequency of chlorophyll-deficient (albino) mutants (8.0%). Complete streptomycin-resistant plantlets were obtained after rooting of the regenerated green shoots on rooting medium containing 1.0 mg L-1 IAA and 500 mg L-1 streptomycin sulphate. Leaf-segment assay of these plantlets revealed that they were resistant to streptomycin but sensitive to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, lincomycin, and spectinomycin. Reciprocal crosses between streptomycin-resistant and -sensitive plants showed a non-Mendelian transmission of resistance by female parents.

Key words: Capsicum praetermissum, cotyledon cultures, maternal inheritance, mutagenesis, streptomycin resistance.

Correspondence: P. Venkataiah, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009 A P, India; e-mail: peddaboina@hotmail.com