INFLUENCE OF INOCULUM MORPHOLOGY ON GROWTH OF ATROPA-BELLADONNA HAIRYROOTS AND PRODUCTION OF TROPANE ALKALOIDS

The specific growth rate of Atropa belladonna hairy roots measured in terms of root length increased by about 25% to 0.49 d(-1) when the ino culum consisted of a root with the primary root tip excised. The bioma ss dry weight produced after 14d increased by 28%. Tn contrast, presen ce of laterals in the inoculum with or without lateral tips excised di d not influence the growth rate. Although hyoscyamine was found to acc umulate at higher concentrations in the more mature root tissues (2.1 +/- 0.2 mg g(-1)) than in the tips (1.1 +/- 0.3 mg g(-1)), hyoscyamine content in the harvested roots was independent of inoculum morphology .