Effect of either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or kinetin on production and composition of various fractions from extracellular polysaccharides produced by cotyledon cell suspension cultures of bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Contender)

Abstract

Cotyledon cell suspension cultures of bush bean required 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for growth. Kinetin was not essential but was required for optimum growth. Both of the regulators were required for optimum production of extracellular polysaccharide (EP).The two regulators had different effects upon the production of three polysaccharide fractions (two pectins and a neutral polysaccharide) isolated from the EP at various stages of the culture cycle.The neutral sugar composition of the pectin fractions from all treatments, including regulator treatments, showed considerable fluctuation during the culture cycle and could be changed markedly by regulator treatments. Changes in composition of the neutral polysaccharide were slight. As a consequence of these results it is now possible to obtain cells differing in the nature of the systems synthesizing, or controlling the synthesis of, the polysaccharides.