In vivo and in vitro investigation of salt tolerance in three anthocyaninless mutants in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Growth responses of a tomato cultivar Ailsa Craig and the ahaw- and bls-iso genic/near isogenic lines (IL/NIL) from it were evaluated and compared at c otyledons stage under salt treatment ill vivo and iii vitro, experiments. N o differences in hypocotyl and root growth responses were detected between the anthocyanin-containing and the anthocyaninless lines within the ill viv o experiments. The anthocyaninless mutants, (except in some cases the bls m utant), exhibited higher callogenic and shoot-forming capacity on both, con trol and salinized media. It was concluded that for this reason it would he difficult to determine the relationship between the in vivo and in vitro, responses of the lines studied and as well as to evaluate the usefulness of the in vitro method in testing these lines for salt tolerance.