Capsicum Annuum Seeds Research Articles

Immunolocalization of Pepper mild mottle virus in Capsicum annuum seeds

To clarify the mechanism of seed transmission of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), the virus was immunolocalized in Capsicum annuum seeds using fluorescence microscopy. Two distinct patterns were observed: In the first, PMMoV was present in the epidermis and parenchyma but not in the endosperm or embryo; in the second, the virus was restricted to the surface of the epidermis and parenchyma. These findings shed light on the fundamental mechanisms of seed transmission of tobamoviruses and may aid in the design of new methods to prevent the spread of seedborne virus diseases.

Differentiation in seed germination among populations of Capsicum annuum along a latitudinal gradient in Mexico

Toinvestigate variation in germination capability of wild Capsicumannuum seeds, the effects of light, fluctuating temperature,gibberellic acid (GA), soaking and sulfuric acid were analyzed in samples from14 populations from northwest Mexico. Germination was inhibited by darkness inall populations studied. Darkness inhibition of germination was overcome byfluctuating temperature and GA, factors which also increased germinationpercentage but not germination rate. Soaking treatments did not significantlyincrease germination of C. annuum seeds, while sulfuricacid treatments had negative effects on the process. Populations showed highvariation in germination response in all treatments, except for continuousdarkness. Principal component analysis differentiated some populations withhighgermination percentage and slow germination rate. Such differences did notcorrelate with climatic variables from collection sites. Given the variation ingermination patterns observed, some of these totally contrasting, we have to becautious when considering the results of studies based on a single wildpopulation.

Studies of Capsicum annuum seeds: structure, storage reserves, and mineral nutrients

Storage reserves of Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper) seeds were studied using light microscopy, histochemical techniques, and electron microscopy. The seed had mainly protein and lipid as storage reserves. Starch was not detected. Thickened endosperm cell walls likely are a store of nonstarch polysaccharide. Protein bodies had protein crystalloids and globoid crystals as inclusions in the proteinaceous matrix. Protein bodies in embryo tissues varied greatly in size both inter- and intra-cellularly, while endosperm protein bodies were similar in size. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and neutron activation analysis revealed the element content of C. annuum seeds. The presence of P, K, and Mg in all globoid crystals is consistent with their being phytin-rich. The average ratios of Mg:K, based on peak-to-background values for globoid crystals, were lowest in provascular tissues, where most globoid crystals were very small, and were highest in ground meristem tissues, where globoid crystals were large. Fe, Zn, Mn, Ca, S, and Cl were detected in some globoid crystals. In globoid crystals of both the cotyledon and hypocotyl – radicle axis, Fe was always detected in protoderm cells, was occasionally detected in ground meristem cells, and was never detected in provascular cells. Neutron activation analysis results showed that Mg, K, S, and Cu were higher in the embryo than in the endosperm, while Cl, Na, and Ca were higher in the endosperm. Mn had similar concentrations in both tissues. Key words: Capsicum annuum, storage reserves, protein body, globoid crystal, phosphorus, seed.

Effect of α-Naphthalene Acetic Acid on Variations in Free Amino Acid Contents in Developing Fruits of Capsicum annuum L.

Capsicum annuum seeds were pretreated with three concentrations of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The fruits of the control and treated plants showed differences in the quantities of free amino acids during three developmental stages. From a relatively high amount of total free amino acids in the early phase of fruit development, there was lowering in the mid-phase and further lowering in the terminal phase. There were eight prominent ninhydrin-reacting spots which were identified as tryptophan, glycine, glutamic acid, valine-methionine, γ-aminobutyric acid, leucine(s), alanine, and aspartic acid and eleven trace spots attributable to tyrosine, serine, lysine, asparagine, cystine, thrconine histidine, phenylalanine, arginine, glutamine, and ornithine. Hormone treatment tended to decrease the total amino acids in the early- and mid-phases of fruit development compared with the control fruits. Aspartic acid was present in greater quantities in the treatments than in the controls. In the terminal phase, the treated fruit did not show any significant change in the total free amino acid contents. The significance of the NAA-included variation in free amino acids is discussed.

Effect of chemical mutagens on chiasma frequency in Capsicum annuum L.

Chiasma frequency per bivalent and per pollen mother cell of M1 plants raised from the seeds of Capsicum annuum treated with EMS, dES and HA was studied. There was a reduction in chaisma frequency in all the mutagenic treatments compared to their respective control. EMS caused a greater reduction in the frequency of chiasmata than dES and HA.

4α-Methyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol from the seeds of Capsicum annuum

A 4α-methylsterol was isolated from the seeds of Capsicum annuum and was identified as 4α-methyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol. This seems to b

Colchicine induced interchanges in chillies (Capsicum annuum L.)

Seeds ofCapsicum annuum L. cultivar cerasiformies were treated with 0.4 and 0.2% aqueous colchicine solution for 24 and 72 h respectively. Tetraploids were not realized; instead, interchange heterozygosity was observed in several plants in 0.4% treatment. The interchanges varied from 1 to 3 per plant. It is presumed that colchicine has induced chromosome breaks.