Indole alkaloids in hairy roots of Amsonia elliptica

Abstract

Transformed root cultures of Amsonia elliptica were obtained after direct infection of the stem of the in vitro grown plants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4. The hairy roots cultured in Gamborg B5 liquid medium produced the same indole alkaloids as the normal roots, cultured in Gamborg B5 liquid medium containing 0.5 mg l −1 NAA, and the mother plant, but at a lower level. The addition of 0.5 mg l −1 NAA to the culture medium remarkably enhanced the growth, and alkaloid production, of the hairy roots.