The Importance of Culture Conditions and Medium Component Interactions on the Growth of Cephalotaxus harringtonia Tissue Cultures

Abstract

Callus cultures of Japanese plumyew, Cephalotaxus harringtonia, on Mura-shige and Skoog medium grew best at 25° C. Initial pH was unimportant in the range of 4.5 to 8.0, and final pH was always 4.2. The tissues after six transfers grew well on a vitamin-free medium of salts, sucrose and hormones. Varying the levels of NH₄NO₃, protein hydrolysate, micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Mo, Cu, Co, I, B), sucrose and kinetin in a 2⁵ factorial experiment showed that response to the variation of one component depended on the levels of the others. For example, adding NH₄-NO₃ increased growth 69 °/o if all other components were at optimal levels, yet decreased growth 58 % if they were suboptimal.

Key Word Index

Cephalotaxus harringtonia - Tissue Culture - Growth - Culture Conditions - Statistical Interactions.