Analogues of Phenoxyacetic Acid and the Generation of Calluses from Seeds of Indica Rice

In a search for callus-inducing compounds for indica rice thatare superior in this regard to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2,4-D), we tested 13 derivatives of phenoxyacetic acids, namely,mono- and di- chloro-, mononitro- and 4-halogeno-substitutedphenoxyacetic acids for their ability to stimulate the inductionof calluses from mature seeds of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Chiemchanh). Five analogues of benzoic acid were also tested. Thecallus-forming ability and the optimal concentration for inductionof calluses were differed from compound to compound. The optimal concentration for callus induction of 4-fluorophenoxyaceticacid (4FPA) was relatively high (250 µM), but its callus-formingactivity was stronger than that of 2,4-D, even when comparedwith 2,4-D at its optimal concentration (50 µM). 4FPA-inducedcalluses retained their regenerative ability for at least 15months with 9 subcultures, while calluses induced by 2,4-D losttheir regenerative ability after 3 subcultures. 4FPA-induced calluses showed higher regenerative ability thandid calluses induced by 2,4-D, in almost all of 20 varietiesof indica tested, including three indica-japonica hybrids. ³Present address: Kibun Co.Ltd., Ginza, Tokyo, 104 Japan ⁴Present address: Hyogo Agricultural Research Institute, Kasai,Hyogo, 679-01 Japan (Received October 25, 1989; Accepted May 17, 1990)