THE EFFECT OF BENZENE AND ITS CHLORELLA-VULGARIS METABOLITES ON THE GROWTH OF TOBACCO TISSUE

The influence of benzene, phenol and catechol on the tobacco callus ti ssue (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin No. 38) cultivated in vitro w as studied. Although inhibition of callus tissue growth in relation to the control was observed in all variants, the benzene-induced inhibit ion was the most significant. When catechol and phenol were added to t he cultivation medium together, callus tissue growth was similar to th at of the control. The addition of catechol to the medium containing p henol presumably reduces the toxic effect of phenol on the callus tiss ue examined. Callus tissue growing in the presence of phenol, benzene and cathechol became senescent more rapidly than in the control. Moreo ver microscopic examination revealed significant changes in the callus structure.