Uptake and translocation of root-fed32P in response to foliar and root applications of CCC and phosfon inPisum sativum

The uptake and translocation of³²P applied to nutrient solutions, as influenced by (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (CCC) and 2, 4-dichlorobenzyltributylphosphonium chloride (Phosfon), were investigated in growth chambers. Specific effects depended on the “Retardin”, the method of application, and the concentration. Foliar applications of CCC had no significant effect on³²P uptake 5 h after feeding. At 20 and 80h after feeding, CCC at 100 and at 1 000 mg l^?1 decreased P uptake. With root applications of CCC the same concentrations decreased P uptake as early as 5h after feeding, while the 1 mg l^?1 concentration enhanced P uptake by 40% after 20h. Both the foliar and the root applications of Phosfon influenced P uptake 5h after feeding. With foliar applications the low Phosfon concentration of 0.01 mg l^?1 increased P uptake throughout the experimental period of 80h, but the magnitudes of enhancement declined from 109% at 5h to 63% at 80h. Similarly, the enhancement of P uptake due to the 0.1 mg l^?1 foliar treatment declined from 132% at 5h to 80% at 80h. 100 mg l^?1 CCC enhanced P translocation to the shoot in 5h, with magnitudes of 29% (foliar application) and 64% (root application). At 20 and 80h the stimulations were nullified. The highest concentrations (100 mg l^?1 CCC; 10 mg l^?1 Phosfon) enhanced P translocation 80h after feeding. There were thus general enhancements of P uptake at low concentrations and suppressions at high concentrations, but these effects diminished with time, indicating transitory influences.     

Interaction of Growth Retardants and Temperature in Growth, Flowering, Regeneration, and Auxin Activity of Begonia × cheimantha Everett

Soil application of CCC reduced stem and leaf growth in Begonia plants. This effect was evident with all concentrations tested at 18°C, whereas at 21 and 24°C no growth–retarding effect was observed with 2 × 10^?2 M CCC, and with 5 × 10^?3 M growth was even stimulated. Flowering was promoted by CCC in long day and neur–critical temperature, particularly under low light intensity in the winter. The formation of adventitious buds in leaves of plants grown at 21 and 24°C was stimulated when the plants received 5 × 10^?2 and 2 × 10^?2 M CCC, while 8 7times; 10^?2 M was inhibitory. In plants grown at 18°C bud formation was inhibited by all CCC concentrations. Root formation in the the leaves was usually stimulated by high CCC concentrations, while root elongation was reduced. The level of ether–extractable. acidic auxin (presumably IAA) in the leaves was lowered by CCC treatment of the plants, hut this required higher CCC concentrations at higt than at low temperature. When applied to detached leaves CCC stimulated bud formation at concentrations ranging from 10^?4 to 10^?2 M in leaves planted at 18 and 21°C. At 24°C budding was inhibited by 10^?2 M CCC, the lower concentrations being stimulatory also at this temperature. Root formation and growth were not much affected by CCC treatment of the leaves, but increased with the temperature. Soil application of Phosfon (4 × 10^?4 M) had no effect on growth and flowering, nov did it affect the subsequent regeneration of buds and roots in the leaves. In detached leaves Phosfon stimulated bud formation with au optimum at 10^?6 M. Root formation was stimulated by Phosfon at all temperatures, the optimal concentration being 10^?5 M, whereas root length was conversely affected. Foliar application of B-995 to intact plants and treatment of detached leaves greatly inhibited the formation of buds and had little effect on root formation. B-99D reduced the growth and delayed flowering in the plants.     

Vegetative Growth Responses of Pea Plants to CCC and Phosfon in Relation to Phosphorus Nutrition

The effects of 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC)and 2,4-dichlorobenzyl-tributylphosphonium chloride (Phosfon)on the growth of pea plants in sand culture at two rates ofapplied phosphorus (P), were studied in controlled-environmentgrowth chambers. CCC at 1 and 10 mg/1, and to a lesser degreePhosfon at 0.1 mg/1, stimulated growth. CCC at 1000 mg/1 andPhosfon at 100 mg/1 retarded growth, due mainly to shortenedstems. The magnitude of such effects depended on the level ofapplied P. Reductions in plant height by the 1000 mg/1 CCC treatmentwere 13 and 50 per cent respectively at the high (160 mg/1)and low (8 mg/1) rates of applied P. Similar decreases due to100 mg/1 Phosfon were 30 and 57 per cent respectively. At thehigh P rate, both CCC and Phosfon had no significant effecton total uptake of P, or on relative distribution in the leaf,stem, and root. At the low P rate, the root, relative to leafand stem, retained more P, at a CCC concentration of 1000 mg/1.With Phosfon at 100 mg/1 relative leaf P content increased whilethat of the stem and root decreased. Phosfon was more activethan CCC in terms of the concentration required to cause a givenmagnitude of growth effect.     

Effect of biotic and abiotic elicitors on production of betulin and betulinic acid in the hairy root culture of Betula pendula Roth

Abstract

Betulin (B) and betulinic acid (BA) are two triterpenoids with a wide range of biological and medicinal activities in different organs of Betula pendula. This research aimed to increase the accumulation of B and BA in the hairy root culture of B. pendula by seven biotic and abiotic elicitors. Hairy root was induced in the stem’s inner bark of B. pendula using the C58C1 strain in the WPM (Woody Plant Medium). The effects of different concentrations of elicitors and different time of root harvest in hairy root culture of B. pendula showed that highest level of growth index (GI), B, and BA was acquired in treated hairy roots with chitosan (CTS), chlorocholine chloride (CCC) and chitosan nano-fiber (CTS NF). Highest GI of B. pendula hairy roots was 13 that was obtained in the roots treated with CTS 150?mg l^?1 on the 8th day. The highest content of BA was 1.3?mg g^?1 DW after treatment with 1?mg l^?1CCC on the 4th and 6th days and 200?mg l^?1CTS NF on the 10th day. The highest B content (0.94?mg g^?1DW) was obtained in the treated hairy root by 2?mg l^?1 CCC after 4 and 6?days.     

Improved Tolerance of Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) Seedlings to Low-Temperature Stress by the Combined Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Paclobutrazol

Low-temperature damage is a common problem for tropical and subtropical plants during their early-growth stage. In this study, an experiment with a L₁₈ (2¹?×?3⁷) mixed orthogonal array in a greenhouse was conducted to determine whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and paclobutrazol (PBZ) application through foliar spray would enhance the chilling tolerance of teak seedlings. One-month-old seedlings of clones 8301, 7544, and 7552 from a Myanmar provenance propagated by tissue culture techniques were inoculated with Glomus versiforme and cultivated for 6?months. The foliar surface of both mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal treated plants was sprayed with PBZ at concentrations of 0, 50, and 100?mg?l^?1 once a week for 3?weeks prior to exposure to low temperatures of 6, 3, and 0°C for 12?h in an artificial climate chamber, followed by 12?h of recovery at 20°C room temperature. AMF colonization significantly promoted height and RCD growth and dry biomass accumulation of shoot and root. Under low-temperature stress, AM symbiosis increased leaf chlorophyll content by 22.8%, soluble protein content by 19.6%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 10.6%, and peroxidase (POX) activity by 9.5%, whereas malondialdehyde content was decreased by 14.1%. Both AMF colonization and the foliar spray PBZ at 50 and 100?mg?l^?1 were capable of alleviating the damage caused by low-temperature stress on teak seedlings by increasing the photosynthetic pigments, accumulation of osmotic adjustment compounds, and antioxidant enzyme (SOD and POX) activity, and by decreasing membrane lipid peroxidation. AMF colonization and foliar spraying of PBZ at 50?mg?l^?1 produced a positive interaction and appears to be a good way to enhance chilling tolerance of teak seedlings experiencing stress at 6, 3 and 0°C for 12?h.     

Interaction of indoleacetic acid with synthetic and native growth regulators during transfer of32P into epicotyls of etiolated pea seedlings

If both cotyledons are amputated from non-decapitated pea seedlings, the intensity of transport of³²P into intact epicotyls is raised more than twofold. This is apparently connected with the regulatory-inhibitory effect of the cotyledons that can be simulated by a 0·1% paste of indoleacetic acid (IAA). If both amputated cotyledons are replaced by this paste, the intensity of³²P transport is again decreased to the level found in plants with intact cotyledons. When etiolated pea seedlings grown in the dark in 100% relative humidity were decapitated, the³²P transport to the top of the epicotyl stumps covered with 0·5% IAA paste was strikingly decreased if the stumps were covered below with a 10% paste containing chlorocholine chloride (CCC) or with a 0·5% paste containing triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA). On the other hand, the intensity of³²P transport was significantly increased if the IAA paste was put above a 0·5% paste with kinetin which alone does not raise the transport intensity. No such synergism toward³²P transport could be established between IAA and gibberellin.     

Uptake, Distribution and Translocation of 32P Absorbed through Roots of Cotton Seedlings as Affected with CCC Treatment

The effects of CCC on the ³² P amounts absorbed by cotton seedlings were studied. CCC was applied to the seedlings either as spray or as addition to the nutrient solution in concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/1. ³²P was added to the medium as KH₂³²P O₄ in the concentration of 40 μCi/50 ml. During the experimental period, no morphological changes were observed. The total ³²P uptake was inhibited in CCC treated seedlings. The application of CCC, both as spray and as addition to the medium, led to an accumulation of ³²P in stem, but to a decrease in root. The leaves showed different responses to different methods of application; spraying increased, while an addition of CCC to the medium decerases the ³²P content in the leaves. It is concluded that CCC inhibits ³²P uptake, whereas it ac accelerates the ³²P translocation from root to the aerial parts.     

Relative uptake of32P by cassava,banana, elephant foot yam and groundnut in intercropping systems

Absorption of applied³²P by the treated as well as neighbouring plants in two- and three-crop intercropping systems involving cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), banana (Musa (AAB) Mysore), elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was studied in field trials. Radiophosphorus applied to the root zone of one of the component species in the mixed systems was found to be absorbed not only by the treated plant but also by the neighbouring plants. Banana was the most dominant species in the cassava-banana-elephant foot yam intercropping system and accumulated the major portion of the radioactivity recovered in the whole system. Cassava planted on raised mounds absorbed³²P from the root zones of elephant foot yam and banana growing in the interspaces. Absorption of³²P from cassava mounds by elephant foot yam was negligible.In cassava-groundnut intercropping system, cassava was the dominant component accumulating about 96 to 99 per cent of the total³²P recovery in the system when the radiolabel was applied to cassava and about 48 to 88 per cent when applied to the intercrops depending on whether cassava was planted on paired row-ridge, mound or flat bed. The groundnut was able to absorb only negligible quantity of³²P from cassava root zone. The absorption of³²P by treated groundnut was highest in paired-row ridge method of planting and lowest in flat bed method of planting.     

In Vitro Regeneration of Achillea millefolium L from Shoot-tips and Root Segments of Seedlings

This report describes, for the first time, an efficient plant regeneration system for Achillea millefolium L (yarrow), a medicinal plant, via shoot multiplication from shoot-tips and adventitious shoot regeneration from root segments. Higher numbers of shoots were obtained when shoot-tips were cultured on MSMO medium supplemented with 3.0 mg l^?1 BA and 0.5 mg l^?1 IAA, or 5.0 mg l^?1 KIN and 1.0 mg l^?1 IBA, producing 17.3 and 17.0 shoots per explant at 100% frequency, respectively. For adventitous shoot regeneration, only root segments developed shoots when cultured on medium containing a combination of 1 mg l^?1 TDZ, 0.5 mg l^?1 IAA and 0.5 mg l^?1 GA3 (18.9 shoots per explant at 100% frequency), while other types of explants (i.e., cotyledons, leaf lamina and petiole segments) or hormonal combinations tested were found ineffective. Regenerated shoots rooted readily on MSMO medium containing different concentrations of IAA, IBA, NAA or 2,4-D, however, NAA at 0.5 mg l^?1, or IBA at 0.5 or 1.0 mg l^?1 were found to be the most productive. Nearly all of the regenerated plants (98%) survived through the hardening process when the rooted plantlets were kept at 55–65% relative humidity for 2 weeks, which were then planted in pots containing potting soil and kept at 25–35% humidity.     

Enhanced plumbagin production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plumbago indica</Emphasis> root cultures by ʟ-alanine feeding and in situ adsorption

Plumbagin is associated with potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, due to poor supply of the natural product, efforts are being made to improve plumbagin biosynthesis and bioproduction. The aim of this work was to enhance production of plumbagin from root cultures of Plumbago indica L. through precursor feeding using l-alanine followed by in situ adsorption of plumbagin on the nonpolar copolymer adsorbent, styrene–divinylbenzene resin (Diaion^® HP-20). l-alanine fed at a concentration of 5 mM to 14 days old root culture followed by the sequential addition of Diaion^® HP-20 (10 g L^?1) after 36 h of l-alanine-fed significantly increased plumbagin production to 22.4 mg g^?1 dry weight (DW). The level of productivity obtained was 14- and 1.6-fold higher than that achieved using untreated root cultures (1.6 mg g^?1 DW) or l-alanine feeding alone (14.4 mg g^?1 DW) within 16 days of the culture. The results of this work suggest the use of precursor feeding in combination with in situ adsorption as an easy and cost effective tool for the large-scale production of medicinally valued compounds like plumbagin.     

Measurement of microbial biomass phosphorus in rhizosphere soil

³²P-labelled monocalcium phosphate solution was supplied by point injection to the root system of wheat plants grown in soil cores in a controlled environment. There was no detectable incorporation of³²P into organic P fractions in the soil remaining after roots were removed, confirming field observations. The techniques used to measure organic P (including biomass P) could detect an incorporation of³²P into soil microbial biomass equivalent to 0.3 μgP.g^?1 soil, compared to a total soil biomass P content estimated to be ca. 6.5 μgP.g^?1 soil. The limited incorporation of the added P into microbial biomass in the root-free soil may be due partly to a limited diffusion of³²P into the non-rhizosphere soil and partly to the removal of³²P-labelled microbial biomass adhering to or in very close association with the root surface. it is proposed that in studies of soil nutrient status, total soil biomass P (roots + soil flora + microfauna) should be measured, rather than attempting an estimate of microbial P. A sequential extraction procedure using a single soil sample, where a biocide is added to the extracting solution, is proposed as an alternative to the conventional procedure for measuring soil biomass P where two soil samples, one treated with a biocide, are extracted simultaneously.     

Effect of Growth Retardants on α-Amylase Production in Germinating Barley Seed

The effect of growth retarding compounds, (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CCC), 2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidinecarboxylate methyl chloride (AMU-1618), tributyl-2,4-dichlorobenzylphosphonium chloride (Phosfon D) and N-dimethylamino succinamic acid (B-995) on α-amylase production in germinating barley seed was studied. Seeds were germinated in growth retardants in presence and absence of gibberellic acid (GA₃). CCC, AMO-1618 and Phosfon D inhibitedα-amylase production in germinating seed and the effect was reversed by GA₃ Phosfon D and AMO-1618 were stronger inhibitors of α-amylase production than CCC. CCC was by far the strongest inhibitor of all the other analogs tested. B-995 was comparatively only slightly inhibitory. The results reported here, when viewed in light of the results of other workers, provide good evidence that CCC, AMO-1618 and Phosfon D inhibit α-amylase production by inhibiting the synthesis of gibberellin or gibberellin-like hormone(s) during germination of barley seed. Consistent with other reports, B-995 possibly acts by other mechanism (s).     

The ability of rufous hummingbirds Selasphorus rufus to dilute and concentrate urine

Most terrestrial animals face the challenge of having to conserve water in a desiccating environment. Not surprisingly, the ability to produce concentrated urine has been relatively well studied in birds. Nectar‐feeding birds are unusual among terrestrial animals in that they often ingest and excrete prodigious water volumes to obtain adequate energy. Thus, they confront the unusual challenge of having to conserve electrolytes. The diluting abilities of birds and the renal mechanisms that may correlate with them have been relatively neglected. To elucidate diluting and concentrating abilities in nectar‐feeding birds, we fed rufous hummingbirds Selasphorus rufus an electrolyte‐free nectar and a nectar containing a range of NaCl concentrations. Hummingbirds had a spectacular (and possibly unique) diluting ability: when fed on electrolyte‐free food they produced excreta containing less than 0.5 mM l^?1 each of sodium and potassium. Hummingbirds also had a poor concentrating ability, retaining sodium and chloride when their food (0.632 M l^?1 sucrose) contained more than 35 mM l^?1 of NaCl. The kidneys of hummingbirds do not appear to be suited for concentrating urine, and possibly contain structural features that give them a unique diluting ability compared with those of birds that do not feed on nectar.     

Integrated bioprocess for the stereospecific production of linalool oxides from linalool with Corynespora cassiicola DSM 62475

Linalool oxides are of interest to the flavour industry because of their lavender notes. Corynespora cassiicola DSM 62475 has been identified recently as a production organism because of high stereoselectivity and promising productivities [Mirata et al. (2008) J Agric Food Chem 56(9):3287–3296]. In this work, the stereochemistry of this biotransformation was further investigated. Predominantly (2R)-configured linalool oxide enantiomers were produced from (R)-(?)-linalool. Comparative investigations with racemic linalool suggest that predominantly (2S)-configured derivatives can be expected by using (S)-(+)-configured substrate. Substrate and product inhibited growth even at low concentrations (200?mg?l^?1). To avoid toxic effects and supply sufficient substrates, a substrate feeding product removal (SFPR) system based on hydrophobic adsorbers was established. Applying SFPR, productivity on the shake flask scale was increased from 80 to 490?mg?l^?1?day^?1. Process optimisation increased productivity to 920?mg?l^?1?day^?1 in a bioreactor with an overall product concentration of 4.600?mg?l^?1 linalool oxides.     

32P uptake and transport to shoots in Pinuus serotina seedlings under aerobic and hypoxic growth conditions

We examined the effects o long-term hypoxic growth conditions on net uptake and transport of P to shoots of pond Pine (Pinus serotina Michx.), a moderately flood-tolerant southern pine. Seedlings were grown under aerobic orhypoxic solution conditions for 4–5 weeks in continuously flowing solution culture containing 100 μM P. Short – and long-term ³²P. experiments were then concluded with intact seedlings to determine rates of ³²P influx, efflux and net transport to the shoot. Shoot fresh weight/root fresh weight ratios were significantly higher under hypoxic gorwth conditions, reflecting the larger reduction in root growth than shoot growth, despite extensive aerechyma formation in roots. Estimates for the unidirectional influx of ³²P in aerobic and hypoxic seedlings were 1.43 and 3.20 μmol P (g_FW root)_?1 h_?1, respectively. However, ³²P accumulation between the two treatments became similar within 8 h, suggesting that efflux was also higer in seedlings from the hypoxic treatment. Indeed in a separate experiment, hypoxic growth conditions increased efflux by over 60%. Transport of ³²P to shoots was significantly reduced under hypoxic growth conditions, despite higher root P concentrations and lower shoot P concentrations. After 48 h, ³²P accumulation in roots was similar between the two treatments. Yet total accumulation of seedling ³²P decrcased by 31% under the hypoxic treatment, largely because of reduced transport of ³²p to the shoot. The lower accumulation of ³² by shoots of seedlings in the hypoxic treatment may be the result of a direct inhibition on the transport process in O²-defident tissues, but could also reflect a slower turnover or labeling of the ool available for transport. Indeed, the percentage of total ³²P in. roots present in the soluble P. (or transportable form of P) was about 33% lower in seedlings from the hypoxic treatment, probably reflecting increased assimilation into organic compounds as well as chelation with iron. Our results suggest that P transport to the shoots of acclimated seedlings may be more sensitive to hypoxic solution conditions than influx at the root Plasmalemma.     

A note on copper bioaccumulation in Mozambique tilapia,Oreochromis mossambicus (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae)

Copper (Cu) is one of the most commonly reported metal pollutants in African water bodies, but there are few studies on African freshwater fish species of copper accumulation and copper toxicity. Adult O. mossambicus were exposed to 0mg l^?1 (control) and 0.75mg l^?1 Cu for 96h and 0 (control), 0.11, 0.29 and 0.47mg l^?1 copper for 64 days. Samples of liver and gills were collected after 96h, and after 1, 32 and 64 days, respectively. There were significant differences in the mean Cu accumulation values in the liver and gills between the control and the Cu-exposed fish after the 96-h exposure. In fish exposed to 0.11 and 0.29mg l^?1 Cu for 64 days there was an increase in copper level in the tissues. In fish exposed to 0.47mg l^?1 Cu the concentration in the gill and liver tissue did not increase between Day 1 and Day 32. At this time, Cu accumulation in the liver was higher than for fish exposed to 0.11 and 0.29mg l^?1 Cu for 64 days. Exposure to approximately 0.47mg l^?1 Cu for more than 32 days induced mortality.     

Efficient Plant Regeneration via Shoot Tip Explant in Jatropha curcas L

An efficient regeneration method via shoot tip explant has been developed for Jatropha curcas, which is a medicinally as well as economically important plant. Shoot tips were proliferated on MS medium incorporated with BAP (2.0 mg l^?1) and IAA (0.5 mg l^?1) along with adenine sulphate, glutamine and activated charcoal. In vitro produced shoots were induced to root on IBA (0.5–5.0 mg l^?1) added to half strength MS medium. The highest frequency of root induction was on the medium with 3.0 mg l^?1 IBA. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to field after initial acclimatization.     

Increased production of plumbagin in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plumbago indica</Emphasis> root cultures by biotic and abiotic elicitors

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of 12 biotic and abiotic elicitors for increasing the production of plumbagin in Plumbago indica root cultures.

Results

Most elicitors showed minimal effects on the root dry weight, except for 250 mg chitosan l^?1 and 10 mM l-alanine that markedly decreased root biomass by about 40 % compared to the untreated root cultures (5 g l^?1). Treatments with 100 µM AgNO₃ significantly increased intracellular plumbagin production by up to 7.6 mg g^?1 DW that was 4-fold more than the untreated root cultures (1.9 mg g^?1 DW). In contrast, treatments with 150 mg chitosan l^?1, 5 mM l-alanine, and 50 µM 1-naphthol significantly enhanced the extracellular secretion of plumbagin by up to 10.6, 6.9, and 5.7 mg g^?1 DW, respectively, and increased the overall production of plumbagin by up to 12.5, 12.5, and 9.4 mg g^?1 DW, respectively.

Conclusions

Chitosan (150 mg l^?1), l-alanine (5 mM), and 1-naphthol (50 µM) were the best elicitors to enhance plumbagin production in P. indica root cultures.

     

Phosphorus Movement and Retention by Two Calcareous Soils

To predict P sorption and leaching behavior in calcareous soils, we examined the adsorption and movement of applied P in columns of two calcareous soils. Phosphorus and various other ions were monitored in the leachate of the soil column by passing a 100 mg P l^?1 solution through the soil column. Concentrations of P, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, HCO^? ₃, Cl^?, EC and pH were determined in the leachates. Movement of K⁺ and P ions was retarded due to K⁺ ion-exchange and P adsorption and precipitation, respectively. Phosphorus leaching was affected by supersaturation with respect to P-Ca minerals, but undersaturated with respect to Mg-P minerals. Phosphorus retention based on batch and miscible displacement experiments revealed profound discrepancies that can be attributed to the short residence time of P in the miscible displacement. Breakthrough curves of P and K⁺ were analyzed by a CXTFIT program. The equilibrium model provides good results to the transport process of P and K⁺. Results indicated that the mobility of P in these calcareous soils reflects that a high downward movement of water-soluble P in soils may occur and much attention should be paid to leaching of P and potential contamination of P to surface and ground waters.     

Effect of asparagine,cysteine, citrulline,and glutamine on in vitro rooting and biochemical constituents in cherry rootstocks

Effects of four amino acids, L-asparagine, L-cysteine, L-citrulline, and L-glutamine in different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg dm^-3) combined with 2 mg dm^-3 indole-3-butyric acid, on in vitro rooting and biochemical constituents of cherry rootstocks CAB-6P (Prunus cerasus L.) and Gisela 6 (P. canescens × P. cerasus) were investigated. In CAB-6P, root number and root fresh mass (FM) were maximum at 0.5 mg dm^-3 cysteine. All amino acids reduced root length in CAB-6P and root number as well as root FM in Gisela 6. In Gisela 6, 0.5 mg dm^-3 asparagine or 2 mg dm^-3 glutamine reduced root length. In CAB-6P, 100 % rooting was achieved in the control and with 1 and 2 mg dm^-3 cysteine or 1 mg dm^?3 citrulline. In Gisela 6, the rooting percentage was maximum (76.92 %) with 0.5 mg dm^?3 asparagine. Callus FM in CAB-6P was the greatest at 1 mg dm^?3 and in Gisela 6 at 2 mg dm^?3 citrulline. Callusing was 100 % in the majority of treatments for CAB-6P and 92.31 % for Gisela 6 with 0.5 or 2 mg dm^?3 citrulline. Cysteine, citrulline, and glutamine diminished chlorophyll content in Gisela 6 whereas in CAB-6P all four amino acids hardly affected it. Carotenoid and porphyrin content in CAB-6P was decreased due to asparagine (0.5 or 1 mg dm^?3). Porphyrin content in CAB-6P was also reduced by adding 0.5 or 1 mg dm^?3 cysteine or 2 mg dm^?3 citrulline. In Gisela 6, all amino acids decreased carotenoid and porphyrin content. In CAB-6P, all treatments except 0.5 mg dm^?3 glutamine or 2 mg dm^?3 asparagine increased leaf sucrose content. In roots, both sucrose and proline content were increased only at 1 mg dm^?3 cysteine whereas in leaves only 0.5 mg dm^?3 asparagine caused a 3-fold increase in proline content. A decrease in root proline in CAB-6P was observed due to asparagine, citrulline, or glutamine. In Gisela 6, decreased leaf sucrose and proline content was recorded at 2 mg dm^?3 cysteine. All amino acids did not alter root sugar content remarkably whereas root proline content was raised by adding 0.5 mg dm^?3 glutamine or 1 mg dm^?3 cysteine.