UPTAKE AND METABOLISM OF 6-BENZYLADENINE IN SHOOT CULTURES OF A RANGE OF SPECIES

Shoots of a range of species were cultured in vitro on a medium containing 2.22-mu-M benzyladenine (BA). After 25 days in culture the amount of BA taken up differed between species. The conjugates of BA present in the plant tissues were identified by HPLC. The pattern of BA metabolism varied considerably between species as did the actual levels of each conjugate. Benzyladenine accumulated in Hippeastrum, Alstroemeria and Ficus with little conjugation. In Musa, Rhododendron and Fuchsia BA also accumulated along with its ribosyl and glucoside conjugates. In contrast, very low levels of BA were detected in Gerbera and Dendranthema, but various glucosides did accumulate.