Genetical and Biotechnological Studies on Caper

The present study aimed to detect polymorphism between the two species C. cartilaginea and C. spinosa using molecular marker technology (RAPD and ISSR techniques); increase the seed germination percentage and to optimize the micropropagation protocol for Egyptian wild Capparris spp (Capparis spinosa and Capparis cartilagenea L.)Thirteen RAPD and thirteen ISSR primers were used to generate amplified DNA fragments to detect genetic diversity between the two caper species. The percentage of polymorphism with RAPD was 68% while ISSR gave 74%. A total of 18 seed treatments were conducted. In all the treatments C. spinosa seeds were more difficult to germinate compared to C. cartiliginea. Seed germination rate achieved from scarified seeds cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg\l BAP, reached an average of 50% in C. cartiliginea compared to less than 32.5% in C. spinosa. Using Gibberellic acid (GA3) media without scarification showed no increase in seed germination. For micropropagation, shoot tip explants from aseptically grown seedlings of Capparis cartilaginea, were cultured on two types of media varying in BAP concentration (1.5 and 2.0 mg\l) respectively. The medium MS + 2 mgl-1 BAP + 0.05mgl-1 IBA + 0.05 mgl-1 GA3 had a significant effect on shoot induction and multiplication than the other medium. The hormone balance played an important role for the success of micropropagation of Capparis spp, as Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) proved to be benificial for morphogenesis in Capparis spp. In general, low concentrations of auxins coupled with high concentrations of cytokinins (in this case BAP) proved to be critical for successful proliferation and elongation of caper shoots. This trial could be considered as the first conducted in Egypt for micropropagation of wild Capparis spp.