Abstract
Summary Manganese toxicity in callus and seedlings of five cultivars of burley tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was examined in order to assess the feasibility of using in vitro approaches for improving Mn tolerance. Foliar chlorosis and necrotic spotting, indicative of Mn toxicity, were observed in seedlings grown in sand and exposed to elevated Mn concentrations. Manganeseinduced growth reductions were apparent in all cultivars; however, Ky 15 and Ky 17 were significantly more sensitive than Ky 14. In the callus tissue, increasing the media Mn concentration resulted in tissue discoloration and reduced growth. Differences among cultivars were evident with Ky 15 and Burley 21 callus appearing to be more sensitive than Ky 10, Ky 14 and Ky 17. The Mn content in callus and seedlings increased to the same extent in all cultivars. There was an agreement between the callus and seedling growth responses to Mn stress only for some of the cultivars. The results suggest that Mn tolerance in tobacco is a manifestation of both cellular and whole plant characteristics.
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