Co-Authors:
Erez, A., Institute of Horticulture, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
Thiourea (TU) promoted growth in cytokinin-requiring soybean, tobacco, and apple callus tissues, in the absence of kinetin. The increase in fresh and dry weight obtained was a result of cell multiplication. Callus tissues grew well when repeatedly subcultured in kinetin-free medium containing TU. The best growth was obtained with 10 -4-10 -3 M TU. At these concentrations synergism was demonstrated between TU and the cytokinins, kinetin, benzyladenine, and zeatin. TU caused greater growth than diphenylurea and phenylthiourea. The possibility that a breakdown product of TU is responsible for the enhanced growth was not excluded. The dormancy-breaking effect of TU was suggested to be related to its growth-enhancing effect. © 1978 Oxford University Press.