Production of phenolic compounds in callus cultures of tea plant under the effect of 2,4-D and NAA

The effect of hormone-like compounds at different concentrations: 2,4-D (2 x 10(-6); 2 x 10(-5); and 2 x 10(-4)M) and 1-NAA (2 x 10(-7); 2 x 10(-6); 2 x 10(-5); 4 x 10(-5), and 6 x 10(-5) M) on the growth and production of phenolic compounds, including flavans and lignin, was investigated in callus culture of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L., a highly productive strain IFR ChS-2). The growth of the culture was vigorous, and production of phenolic compounds therein was efficient in the medium containing 2 x 10(-5) M 2,4-D. Substitution of 1-NAA for 2,4-D in all the cases decelerated the growth of the culture. These changes were more pronounced when 2 x 10(-7) and 2 x 10(-6) M 1-NAA was used; in this case, biomass accumulation decreased by 1.5-2.0 times as compared with control material growing on the medium with 2 x 10(-5) M 2,4-D. In the presence of 1-NAA, the content of total soluble phenolic compounds and flavans in the calli rose by 30% on the average as compared with control material. Accumulation of lignin remained essentially the same. Therefore, the replacement of 2,4-D with 1-NAA in the nutrient medium used for the growing of highly productive strain of tea plant callus did not induce considerable changes in its ability to produce phenolic compounds.