Nitrate, Ammonium and Kinetin Effects on Growth and Enzyme Activities of Paul's Scarlet Rose Callus

Factorial experiments using the three variables nitrate, ammonium, and kinetin at six different concentrations each (nitrate 4.64 to 215 mM; ammonium 2.15 to 100 mM; and kinetin 0.1 to 4.64 mg/l) were set up to measure the effects of each of these factors, and their interactions, on the fresh weight, protein, and enzyme activities of callus of Paul's Scarlet Rose. Optimum fresh weight values were obtained with nitrate at 46.4 mM. Ammonium inhibited growth at concentrations above 2.15 mM, and kinetin had no significant effect. Significant interaction between nitrate and ammonium effects on growth was found. Kinetin did not interact significantly with either nitrate or ammonium to influence the fresh weight. The specific activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (NAD) in the aminating reaction increased with increasing ammonium concentrations to 21.5; at higher concentrations the activity remained high. Glutamine synthetase specific activity was constant over a large range of nitrate and ammonium concentrations, increasing only when nitrate went from 46.4 to 100 mM. Glutamine synthetase was sensitive to the nitrate: ammonium interaction. Specific activity decreased at progressively higher ammonium levels when nitrate concentration increased. No glutamate synthase activity was detected at optimal nitrate concentrations.