Sucrose regulates germination efficiency, photosynthetic performance and biomass allocation in Capsicum spp. under in vitro conditions

The cultivation of mature zygotic embryos in vitro is crucial for species exhibiting genetic incompatibility, as their seeds do not germinate naturally. This study aimed to evaluate the germination efficiency of seeds and isolated embryos, along with the growth of Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum frutescens in vitro and their impacts on acclimatisation. Isolated embryos of both species were germinated in MS culture medium with half the salts and varying sucrose concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g L−1). Morphological and photochemical efficiency variables were assessed, and acclimatisation was performed. The efficiency of embryo cultivation was determined (intact seeds vs isolated zygotic embryos). According to the results, isolated zygotic embryos showed a higher percentage and uniformity of germination. Plants cultivated in vitro in a culture medium without sucrose did not survive during acclimatisation. For seedling cultivation, the recommended sucrose concentration in vitro is 10 g L−1.