INDUCTION OF BETACYANIN FORMATION IN CHENOPODIUM-ALBUM CELL-CULTURES BY COCULTIVATION WITH THE DUCKWEED WOLFFIA-ARRHIZA

Cells of Chenopodium album and whole plants of the duckweed Wolffia ar rhiza were cocultivated. In the presence of Wolffia arrhiza the synthe sis of a red-violet pigment (betacyanin) was induced in several cells or cell clusters of Chenopodium album in the light. The exchange of so lutes through the liquid phase was necessary for the induction of pigm ent formation. The red-violet cells could be selected and subcultivate d resulting in a red callus. A reddish cell suspension was obtained in liquid culture in the presence of the duckweeds.