The effect of plant growth regulators on formation of crown gall tumors on potato tuber discs

Abstract

The effect of several plant growth regulators on the number of tumors developing on potato tuber discs (Solatium tuberosum L. cv. Radka) inoculated withAgrobacterium tumefaciens, strain C 58 was studied. The plant growth regulators used in appropriate range of concentrations stimulated the formation of tumors byA. tumefaciens. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was most active in concentration of 10−4 mg ml−1. Kinetin gave a biphasic response with optimal promotions of tumor initiation at 10−4 − 2 × 10−3 mg ml−1. High kinetin concentration (10−1 mg ml−1) inhibited the formation of tumors completely. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) stimulated the initiation of tumors in the same range of concentrations as kinetin, except that very high concentrations did not inhibit but enhanced tumor formation. 2,4-diehlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) showed a biphasic response with maxima in 10−4 mg ml−1 and 10−1 mg ml−1. All the tumors scored for nopaline production showed nopaline synthase activity independently whether their formation was stimulated by l0−1 mg ml−1 IAA or they were initiated without any treatment by plant growth regulators.