Efficient Regeneration and Agrobacterium ‐Mediated Genetic Transformation in Pepper ( Capsicum annuum )

ABSTRACT Transgenic technology plays an essential role in gene function analysis and crop improvement. However, the application of an effective protocol is still limited in pepper. In this study, we constructed an efficient regeneration system and selected five elite cultivars with diverse shapes, colours, and orientations for genetic transformation. The effects of infection treatment, visible marker, hygromycin, AgNO 3 , and morphogenic gene were investigated to increase the transformation efficiency. Using the optimised Agrobacterium ‐mediated transformation protocol, we successfully generated transgenic plants for all five cultivars and identified the auxin influx carrier CaAUX1 as an effective enhancer of transformation efficiency in most tested cultivars. In summary, this study has established a stable regeneration and transformation system for pepper.