Stimulation of Phenotypically Normal Shoot Regeneration of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) by Commercial Filter Paper Extract

Abstract

Effects of extracts from filter paper on the shoot regeneration of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were examined. Cotyledon segments of tomato were cultured on supporting material made of polyester supplemented with Murashige and Skoog liquid medium, containing 0.1 mg·liter^-1 indole-acetic acid, 1.0 mg·liter^-1 zeatin and 3% sucrose. Soluble components were extracted from filter paper with hot water and added to the medium. Phenotypically normal shoot regeneration was stimulated by the extracts of filter paper ; the highest percentage of shoot regeneration was obtained by an extract equivalent to 1 g filter paper per ml. When filter paper extracts were fractionated on Sephadex G-25 gel column, the shoot regeneration stimulating activity was found in a low molecular weight fraction. These results suggest that filter paper contains thermostable substances low molecular weight which induce shoot regeneration.