Munsif Ali Shad1, Nisa Fitriani Nur Azizah1,2, Syahdad Nabil Mudzaffar1,3, Muhammad Dylan Lawrie1, Aqwin Polosoro1, Kusumawaty Kusumanegara4, Supatmi Supatmi1, Andi Nadia Nurul Lathifa Hatta1, Eny Ida Riyanti1, Edy Listanto1, Nurul Fitriah1, Ima Mulyama Zainuddin1, Yuni Wahyuni1*
1Research Center for Genetic Engineering, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, Indonesia
2Study Program of Biology, Faculty of Military Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Republic of Indonesia Defense University, Bogor, Indonesia
3Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
4Research Center for Horticulture, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, Indonesia
*Corresponding author’s email: wahy026@brin.go.id
Received: 01 March 2026 / Revised: 21 June 2026 / Accepted: 23 June 2026 / Published Online: 01 July 2026
Abstract
Chilli peppers (Capsicum spp.) are important spices and horticultural crops that are subject to biotic and abiotic stresses. Genetic improvement in these species is challenging due to their inherent recalcitrance to tissue culture-based regeneration and genetic transformation. We comprehensively surveyed strategies to enhance in vitro regeneration in Capsicum spp., including the use of morphogenic regulators, plant hormones, explant selections, growth enhancers, and culture medium standardizations. In parallel, highlighting transformation methods that can supplement existing regeneration protocols or entirely bypass them, including in planta, biolistic, protoplast transfections, virus and nanoparticle-based gene delivery, and synergistic approaches. Additionally, this review article discusses various genetic engineering tools, such as transgenic overexpression, RNA interference (RNAi), Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS), Virus-Induced Genome Editing (VIGE), and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, which are enriching the Capsicum spp. genomes, enabling rapid functional characterization, and producing heritable genetic modifications. By integrating current understandings and novel biotechnological advancements, this review provides a foundation for Capsicum spp. genetic improvement, enhancing its stress resilience and productivity.
Keywords: Capsicum spp., Regeneration, Transformation, Genetic engineering, Genome editing
