Chemical Factors Affecting Anthocyanin Formation and Morphogenesis in Cultured Hypocotyl Segments of Impatiens balsamina

Abstract

Etiolated 5-day-old hypocotyls were cut into 10 equal segments and cultured in petri dishes on agar. The medium was supplemented with growth substances and anthocyanin inhibitors in various experiments. Measurements of root and hair formation and anthocyanin synthesis were made during a 10-day period in darkness or 450 ft. candles of light for each of the hypocotyl segments. Naphthalene acetic acid caused an increase in both growth and anthocyanin formation and also a shift in the point of maximum anthocyanin synthesis toward the base of the hypocotyl. These effects were reversed by triiodobenzoic acid. Gibberellic acid, 8-azaguanine, benzimidazole, and riboflavin were used in other experiments. Responses to these chemical factors which indicate interrelationships between anthocyanin synthesis and morphogenesis in the hypocotyl segments are described.