Shoot Differentiation in Callus Cultures of Datura innoxia

Datura innoxia Mill. callus cultures formed shoots in 2–4 weeks on media containing; a) gibberellic acid, b) indoleacetic acid, c) low concentrations of naphthylacetic acid, d) low concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, e) benzylaminopurine, f) no growth substance. Benzylaminopurine promoted shoot differentiation. Gibberellic acid inhibited shoot formation weakly, but inhibited proper leaf blade formation. Root differentiation was rare. The callus cultures of Datura innoxia grew rapidly (100-fold in 4 weeks) on a slightly modified Murashige and Skoog medium (0.5 mg/l thiamin · HCl, pH 5.5, no glycine) in light at 30°C. Callus grew well on any single one of the growth substances NAA (10^?5M), 2,4-D (10^?6M) or BAP (3 × 10^?6M). Growth was less and more erratic on GA or IAA. The callus cultures did not grow significantly better when BAP was combined with one of the auxins or with GA.