HAIRY ROOT CULTURE OF LACTUCA-VIROSA L

A hairy root culture of Lactuca virosa L. (Asternceae) was initiated b y infection of the leaf explants of the aseptic plants with Agrobacter ium rhizogenes - strain LBA 9402. One of the obtained clones which sho wed the most favourable growth rate was used for further investigation . An influence of different nutrient media and sucrose concentrations on the biomass accumulation was studied. The most advantageous for the biomass increment were media: MS and MS containing macronutrients red uced to half concentration, supplemented with 5% sucrose. A preliminar y chromatographic analysis of the tissue extract revealed the presence of sesquiterpene lactones characteristic of the roots of the intact p lant.