UPTAKE AND METABOLISM OF BENZYLADENINE DURING SHOOT ORGANOGENESIS IN PETUNIA LEAF EXPLANTS

Benzyladenine (BAP) uptake and metabolism were characterized during the key stages of shoot organogenesis in leaf explants of Petunia 'MD1'. Using leaf explant transfer experiments, it was shown that exposure to 2.2-mu-M BAP for 6, 8 or 10 days induced shoot formation on 27, 80 and 100% of the explants respectively, with a concomitant increase in the number of shoots per explant. BAP uptake and metabolism were characterized in leaf explants after 1, 3, 6 or 10 days exposure to [H-3]BAP or 10 days exposure plus an additional 2 days on basal medium (10 + 2). BAP and 9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-BAP ([9R]BAP) were detected at days 1 and 3 only. Therefore, the BAP free base was not detectable during the shoot induction period between days 6 and 10, as defined by leaf transfer experiments. The BAP ribotide pool was largest on day 1 and decreased to day 10 + 2. It is possible that the BAP ribotide pool provided either the active cytokinin itself or acted as a short-term storage form for the active cytokinin in petunia shoot organogenesis. Other metabolites detected in petunia leaf tissue included 7-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-BAP ([7G]BAP), 9-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-BAP ([9G]BAP) and an unidentified metabolite C.