Lignin release and photomixotrophism in suspension cultures of Picea abies

TLDR: The chlorophyllous cultures grew slowly in a medium with low(0,5%) sucrose or without any carbohydrate source, suggesting photomixotrophism, and release of iignin into the nutrient medium was observed in several experiments, especially in slow-growing cultures supplemented with sucrose.

Abstract: Liisa Kaarlira Simola, Juha Lemmetyinen and Arja SantiineiiSimola, L, K., Lemmetyinen, J, and Santanen, A, 1992. Lignin release and photo-mixotrophism in suspension cultures of Picea abies, - Physiol. Plant. 84: 374-379,The effect of different concentrations of sucrose (0-4%) and of two growth regulators(0-50 |XiW 2,4-D and 0-25 \iM kinetin) was tested on growth and chlorophyll contentof suspension cultures of Picea abies (L,) Karst, originating from chiorophyllousembryo callus in an elevated CO2 (2%) atmosphere, A contiottous chlorophylloussuspension culture was achieved on a meditim containing 2% sucrose and a low levelof organic nitrogen (0,25 mM arginine and 0.5 mM glutamine) suppiemeoted with2,4-D (0,5 iiM) and kinetin (2,5 IiM). The same medium with 4% sucrose gave thebest growth response, but a negative correlation between chlorophyll level andgrowth was observed. The chlorophyllous cultures grew slowly in a medium with low(0,5%) sucrose or without any carbohydrate source, suggesting photomixotrophism,A high coneentration of kinetin inhibited both growth and chlorophyll synthesis.Release of iignin into the nutrient medium was observed in several experiments,especially in slow-growing cultures supplemented with sucrose. Only a few successivepassages of suspensions that produced lignin could be cultured before cell death. Thecultures releasing lignin may be tiniqtie for studies on synthesis and biodegradation ofthis very complex compound.Key words - Chlorophyll, growth, lignin release, photomixotrophy. Picea abies,suspension culture.L, K. Simola (corresponding author) and A, Santanen, Dept of Botany, Vniv, ofHelsinki, Unionink. 44, SF-00170 Helsinki, Finland; J. Lemnwtyinen (presetit ad.-dress), Dept of Biology, Univ, of Joensuu, PL Ul, SF-80101 Joensuu, Finland,