Effects of Plant Growth Regulators and Carbon Sources on Theanine Formation in Callus Cultures of Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>)

Abstract

Both growth and theanine accumulation in tea callus cultures were improved by the combination of 4 mg/liter benzyladenine and 2mg/liter indol-3-butyric acid, but were strongly inhibited by the addition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The optimum initial concentration of carbon source was 30g/liter sucrose. Upon the addition of more than 30 g/liter of sucrose, the callus fresh weight was increased, but the theanine formation was not improved.