Effect of Abiotic Elicitation and Calcium Ions on the Production of the Explant Culturesof Rheum palmatum L.

Overview

Elicitation is based on signal (elicitor)-induced expression of genes, which subsequently results inincreased synthesis of secondary metabolities in plants and in vitro cultures. Elicitors do not usuallyinfluence gene activity directly but by means of transmitters of the signal, which include primarilycalcium ions. The paper examined the effect of four concentrations of calcium ions on the productionof anthracene derivatives by means of the callus and suspension cultures of Rheum palmatum L.(Polygonaceae), which was elicited by an abiotic elicitor – a 20 µM solution of lead dichloride. Theculture was cultivated on a Murashige-Skoog medium with an addition of 10 mg.l-1 of α-naphthylaceticacid. It follows from the results that the maximal content of anthracene derivatives, determinedby the photometric determination according to PhBs 4, was demonstrated in the suspensionculture after 24-hr administration of the elicitor and a 10 mM calcium chloride solution. Incomparison with the control and elicited groups, the production was stimulated by 44 % and 17 %,respectively. After an addition of calcium ions to the elicited callus culture, no positive influence onthe production was observed.

Key words:
Rheum palmatum L. in vitro – anthracene derivatives – abiotic elicitation –calcium ions