Alkaloid production in tissue cultures of Papaver somniferum L. cv. office-95

The capacity of alkaloid synthesis was examined in embryogenic callus tissues of Turkish opium poppy, Papaver somniferum L cv. office-95. Eight months old cultures grown in hormone-free MS were examined for alkaloid content. They were found to produce codeine at a level of 1.2 × 10-2, the baine 2.5 × 10-3, noscapine 2.2 × 10-3, morphine 1.6 × 10-3 and papaverine 5.2 × 10-4 % FW

High efficiency indirect shoot regeneration and hypericin content in embryogenic callus of Hyperi{dotless}cum tri{dotless}quetri{dotless}foli{dotless}um Turra

A method to induce indirect regeneration from Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra was described in the present study. Callus was induced from cotyledon explants of 35 days old aseptic seedlings on semi-solid MS supplemented with IAA (0.5 mg.L-1) combined with BAP (2 mg.L-1). Meristemoids developed on the surface of callus by decreasing of the cytokinins and plantlet regeneration with 100% frequency through these embryogenic calli occured in semi-solid medium when the PGRs were removed completely. Embryogenic calli obtained during the experiments were analyzed for their hypericin content. And they were found to produce hypericin as 48 µg/g DM. Regenerated plantlets were rooted in MS containing 1 mg/L IAA. The highest percentages (94%) of survival of transferred plantlets to free-living circumstances were limited when they were acclimatized in sand: peat: perlite (1:1:1; v/v/v) mixture. © 2010 Academic Journals

Alterations in antioxidative enzyme activities caused by boron toxicity in two tomato culture varieties

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for normal growth of higher plants. On the other hand, its toxicity is also a significant problem that can limit plant growth on soils of arid and semi-arid environments in agricultural regions across the world. In this study, two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties (SC2121 and SAFARI Fl) are used, and toxic effects of B treatment (3 mM) were studied. Germination was not affected, and seeds of both varieties germinated nearly to 100%. These in vitro germination experiments were accomplished in MS medium. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidant enzyme activites (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR)) were investigated in root and shoot tissues of tomato seedlings. Oxidative damage increased with 3-mM B treatment in tissues of SC2121 plants compared to control, and antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased, except APX. B toxicity inhibited only CAT activity in root tissues, but CAT, GR, SOD, POX and APX activities were inhibited in shoot tissues of SAFARI Fl. However, B toxicity in this variety did not cause oxidative damage. Root tissue of SAFARI Fl variety, in particular, was found to be a better protection than SC2121. This might indicate that SAFARI Fl variety is based on the protection of antioxidant enzymes. However, similar protections against B toxicity were not detected in shoot tissues of both varieties. by psp