There were little differences in the average pollen viability among
the species but showed huge differences in fruit set in reciprocal crosses.
On selfing there was more pollen germination percentage compared to
the crosses. Pollen germination had significant positive correlation with
fruit set. Fruit set was high on selfing as compared to reciprocal crosses.
Maximum fruit set was recorded on selfing of C. annuum, variety Pusa
jwala (47 per cent). Both the species (C. frutescens and C. chinense)
responded to embryo germination by MS+Yeast extract+casein
hydrolysate+GA3 at 0.5 mg/l+NAA at 0.05 mg/l. NAA (0.025 mg/l
and 0.10 mg/l) showed poor percent of embryo germination. Average
number of plantlets was from the medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l
GA3 and NAA 0.05 mg/l. Primers which amplified bands in the putative
hybrids and were specific to the male parent confirmed the hybridity.