AN EXAMPLE OF IN-VITRO TEST TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF SURFACTANTS IN PLANT MATERIALS

The action of several concentrations of an anionic synthetic surfactan t alkylbenzene sulphonate (ABS) and a non-ionic surfactant arylalkylpo lyglycol ether (Citowett) were studied using as test different in vitr o culture systems (Pittosporum tobira Ait. and Nicotiana tabacum L. va r. Bel W-3). Three parameters were analyzed: i) callus or total biomas s increase (P. tobira and N. tabacum, respectively); ii) shoot regener ation frequency (N. tabacum); iii) cell damage. Phytotoxic general eff ects occurred for ABS and Citowett in both species especially at highe r concentrations; however some differences were observed between the t wo types of surfactants. A clear callus growth stimulation was found i n P. tobira cultured in presence of ABS at lower doses whereas Citowet t at high concentration induced in N. tabacum, a light increase of the total number of regenerated shoots in comparison to control. Both sur factants at higher concentrations caused strong damages at cytological level. The effects of these surfactants on cytoplasm and nuclei were determined. The use of in vitro culture as a monitoring system is disc ussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.