title: Stimulation of shoot regeneration from jute cotyledons cultured with non-ionic surfactants and relationship to physico-chemical properties.
abstract: The effects have been studied of the non-ionic surfactants, Plutonic F-68, Tween 20 or Triton X-100, on shoot regeneration from cultured jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) cotyledons with attached petioles. This group of non-ionic surfactants was selected in order to determine a possible relationship between the physico-chemical properties of individual compounds and their observable effects on plant morphogenesis in cultured jute cotyledons. Supplementation of culture medium with 0.001-0.5% (w/v) Pluronic F-68 increased the mean percentage of cotyledons producing shoots and the mean number of shoots/cotyledon, with maximal responses at 0.5% (w/v). By contrast, Tween 20 produced maximal effects at 0.001% (v/v), with inhibition of shoot formation at 0.5% (v/v). In both cases, phenotypically normal plants were recovered which could be grown to maturity. Culture of cotyledons with 0.001% (v/v) Triton X-100 similarly increased both the percentage of cotyledons producing shoots and the number of shoots/cotyledon. However, these shoots did not develop into mature plants. Additionally, shoots did not regenerate from cotyledons cultured with Triton at 0.01-0.5% (v/v). These results demonstrate mat there is an apparent relationship between the hydrophilic-hydrophobic (HLB) balance of surfactants which determine their cell permeabilising properties and consequently, their effects on morphogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, University Park, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khatun
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lowe