Effects of different stress factors on in vitro biomass development in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, plant

In this thesis, production of in vitro callus biomass of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don and effects of osmotic stress on biomass was investigated with several materials. Explants were obtained from in vivo and in vitro seedlings and used for callus production in callus MS medium. Subsequently, biomass obtained from subcultures of these callus were investigated for their weight and morphologic structure under different osmotic stress conditions. Plant growth regulators; 5mg/mL NAA and 2 mg/mL BAP with MS medium is identified as the best combination for biomass production.In this thesis, PEG-4000, D-Mannitol and hydrogen peroxide which are known to induce osmotic stress on plants were used on 18 weeks old callus biomass. Subcultures of biomass were generated in one week intervals. Variations on the biomass as a result of stress factor applications were measured and calculated while morphological features were also observed.Subsequent to second subcultures biomass on 100 mM and 200 mM concentrations of hydrogen peroxide showed %33 and %37 reduction. Following third subcultures %5 and %10 concentrations of PEG-4000 caused %19 and %20 reductions. Following third subcultures %5 D-mannitol caused %10 reduction and %10 concentration of D-mannitol caused %18 reduction just after first week.