Stimulatory effects of sea salts on cell growth in liquid culture of Avicenniaceae mangrove

Abstract

The effects of salts on cell proliferation in suspension cultures of Avicennia alba and on callus induction from the leaf-tissue of A. marina were investigated using a small-scale liquid culture method. The effects of the seawater components, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, and MgSO4 were examined separately. In both Avicennia species, the cell growth was increased in the presence of a low concentration, 10 mM, of MgCl2. Even in the presence of 100 mM NaCl, growth was stimulated in A. marina and there was no inhibition of growth in A. alba. CaCl2 was the most inhibitory and completely inhibited growth at 100 mM in both species. Similarities and differences in the effects of sea salts among Avicennia species and Sonneratia alba and Bruguiera sexangula of different mangrove families are discussed. This is the first report on establishing cell suspension culture of the mangrove plant A. alba belonging to the Avicenniaceae.