UPTAKE AND METABOLISM OF 6-BENZYLADENINE IN SHOOT CULTURES OF MUSA AND RHODODENDRON

Shoots of Musa and Rhododendron were cultured in vitro on a medium containing 0.5 mg l-1 BA. Shoots growing in the presence of [C-14]BA were harvested at intervals during the culture period. Uptake of BA was linear throughout this culture period in Musa but slowed considerably in Rhododendron shoots after day 10. Rhododendron shoots absorbed 40% of the BA present in the medium and Musa shoots absorbed 52%. In each species the principal metabolite formed was [9G]BA. Benzyladenine was present in significant levels only in the pseudostem of Musa.