Effects of nitrogen source on betacyanin accumulation and growth in suspension cultures of Phytolacca americana

In suspension cultures of Phytolacca americana L., betacyanin accumulation per cell increased with increasing total nitrogen concentration (initial NH⁺₄:NO^?₃ ratio 1:2) in the range 0–40 m M and then remained almost constant in the range 40–80 m M . Increasing ammonium increased growth while betacyanin accumulation was reduced. On the other hand, betacyanin accumulation increased when nitrate was increased while growth was almost constant in the concentration range examined. A time-course study of ammonium and nitrate concentration changes in the medium showed that betacyanin accumulation was associated with nitrate uptake.