Enhancement of growth and coumarin production in hairy root cultures of witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus L.cv.Lucknow local) under the influence offungal elicitors

Studies were conducted to determine the possible production of coumarins in hairy root cultures of Cichorium intybus L.cv,Lucknow local under the infl uence of microbial agents. Pythium aphanidermatum and Phytopthora parasitic a var. nicotiana were cultured and their mycelial and medium filtrate were used for the elicitation of coumarin production, The media filtrate of P. p arasitica at 1.0% v/v added to the MS basal medium led to the maximum growt h of hairy roots of C, intybus, which was 1.57-fold higher than the untreat ed control on the 28th day of culture, along with maximum esculin and escul etin yields which were 4.06- and 3.71-fold higher than the control on the 2 8th day. The yields of esculin and esculetin in hairy root cultures of chic ory strongly correlated with growth. To check the effect of these fungal el icitors on endogenous polyamine metabolism, titers of total endogenous poly amines were analyzed. It was confirmed that the media filtrate of P, parasi tica at 1.0% v/v concentration resulted in maximum accumulation of total en dogenous polyamines, wherein endogenous spermine titers were found to be ma ximum as compared to endogenous spermidine and putrescine titers on the 28t h day, Total endogenous spermine in the case of 1.0% MF v/v P. parasitica w as 1.3-fold higher than that of the control on the 28th day of culture, Max imum growth index with greater length of primary root (17.61 +/- 0.18 cm) a nd greater number of secondary and tertiary roots was recorded for the medi um filtrate of P, parasitica at 1.0% v/v concentration, This study also pro vided an insight into the morphological changes in terms of branching patte rns, occurring in roots under the influence of these fungal elicitors.