While several hormones can be used in tissue culture depending on the specific goals, auxins and cytokinins are the two primary classes of plant hormones used in plant tissue culture. These hormones are crucial for controlling cell division, differentiation, and overall plant regeneration.
Here's a more detailed look at their roles:
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Auxins: Promote cell elongation, root formation, and callus induction (undifferentiated plant cell mass). A commonly used auxin in tissue culture is 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).
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Cytokinins: Primarily promote cell division and shoot formation. They often work in conjunction with auxins to control the differentiation of plant cells. Examples of cytokinins used in tissue culture include kinetin (KIN) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP).
The ratio of auxin to cytokinin is particularly important in determining the developmental pathway of the cultured tissue.
| Hormone Combination | Effect |
|---|---|
| High Auxin : Low Cytokinin | Root formation |
| Low Auxin : High Cytokinin | Shoot formation |
| Balanced Auxin and Cytokinin | Callus formation (undifferentiated cell mass) |
The type-B response regulators play a vital role, governing the transcriptional output upon cytokinin perception, and are necessary for plant regeneration. The specific concentration of each hormone can vary depending on the plant species and the desired outcome.
