Concentration of mineral elements in callus tissue culture of some sunflower inbred lines

Concentration of mineral elements in calluses of six sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) inbred lines was investigated, with the aim to determine whether there are differences regarding nutrient requirements between genotypes. C alluses were induced from cotyledons of seven-day-old seedlings grown in st erile conditions. The differences between inbred lines in concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were significant, whereas differences in the concentration of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were nonsignificant. Except for N, average concentrations of nutrients in calluses were lower than average concentrations of nutrients of plants grown in vivo. The obtained results s how that there are differences regarding nutrient requirements between diff erent inbred lines of sunflower. On the basis of that, it may be assumed th at change in concentration of either all or some nutrients in medium accord ing to the needs of a given genotype may lead to its better response to cul ture.