Induction of tumor formation in Nicotiana amphiploids with triiodobenzoic acid

Abstract

Young seedlings of two tumorous Nicotiana amphiploids and the parental species, grown aseptically on nutrient medium, were treated with 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid. The incidence of tumor formation was scored for 18 days subsequent to exposure. Triiodobenzoic acid markedly accelerated the rate of tumorigenesis in both amphiploids, but it did not induce tumors in the parental species. The compound also induced tumor formation in a small percentage of seedlings of a non-tumorous mutant of the N. glauca × N. langsdorffii amphiploid. These results are discussed in relation to the problem of the trigger mechanism for tumor induction in Nicotiana species hybrids.<