Effects of Light and Growth Regulators on the Growth of Calendula officinalis Callus Cultures

Jana Řimáková (rimakova@faf.cuni.cz), Lenka Tůmová

Department of Pharmacognosy, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Summary

The influence of different concentrations of known growth regulators 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (α-NAA) and a combination of α-NAA and kinetin on the growth and production of secondary metabolites (in particular flavonoids) of Calendula officinalis callus cultures was investigated. The highest growth of a fresh weight in comparison with other tested growth regulators showed α-NAA in concentration 10 mg/l. On the other side the callus culture growth was very slow on α-NAA/K medium in 10/10 mg/l concentration rate. In the experiment the medium containing 2,4-D seemed to be less appropriate for growth regulation than the medium with α-NAA/K in concentration rates 10/0.1 mg/l and 10/1 mg/l. Flavonoids were not detected in callus cultures. The influence of an irradiation length on the growth of callus cultures in medium containing α-NAA (10 mg/l) or 2,4-D (1 mg/l) was also studied. The highest fresh weight growth was observed in the period 16 hours light / 8 hours darkness.