Effect of copper on shoot and root regeneration in wheat, triticale, rape and tobacco tissue cultures

Abstract

CuSO4 (0.1–100 μM) significantly enhanced shoot regeneration from calli of wheat and triticale and of tobacco leaf disc cultures. In cultures of wheat and triticale, CuSO4 also stimulated root formation. When equal concentrations of CuSO4 were applied in different media, it was found that the components of the basal media had only modifying effects. CuSO4 pretreatment promoted plant survival when regenerated wheat plants were transferred directly to potting soil. In contrast with CuSO4, AgNO3, which also stimulated shoot regeneration, inhibited rooting in wheat and triticale. In Brassica napus callus cultures, AgNO3 strongly increased morphogenesis, whereas CuSO4 had no significant effect.