CONTROL OF QUIESCENCE AND VIABILITY IN AUXIN-DEPRIVED PEAR CELLS IN BATCH AND CONTINUOUS CULTURE

The omission of 2,4-D from the culture medium together with an increase in the osmotic potential by means of added mannitol allowed auxin-dependent cells of Passe-Crassane pear to be kept quiescent after a short period of limited increase in cell number (5-6 days). Cell death began to occur after 14-16 days in batch and in a continuous culture system. The ability of the cells to divide again in the presence of 2,4-D remained unchanged up to 9 days after treatment but was rapidly lost thereafter. In such a model auxin-deprivation related changes can be investigated from the biochemical and ultrastructural points of view. © 1979.