Production of Oat Callus and its Susceptibility to a Plant Parasitic Nematode

Abstract

DICOTYLEDONS grown on White's medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) readily produce callus which is an ideal substrate for plant nematodes^1,2. Monocotyledons produce callus less readily. Morel and Wetmore³ initiated callus in species of Amorphophallus with carefully balanced vitamins and added naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA), and maintained the callus by the addition of coconut milk. Carew and Schwarting⁴ obtained callus from the embryo of rye by adding yeast extract, casein hydrolysate and 2,4-D to the medium. The production of oat and onion callus tissues is described below. The oat callus was used to culture the chrysanthemum nematode, Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi (Schwartz).