Investigation of the Effects of the Basal Medium, Auxin and Antioxidants on the Induction and Maintenance of Callus and Taxol Production in Yew (Taxus baccata)

Production of Taxol, the most promising chemotherapuetic drug, depends on Taxus spp. cell culture. Since there are numerous difficulties in the in vitro cell culture of this recalcitrant genus, this study was conducted in order to establish an efficient protocol for callus induction and mainten ance of it. Callus cultures from T. baccata young stems were established in B5 and MS media supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4 - D and NAA. The effects of basal culture media, type and concentration of auxin were assessed on callus growth. The callus morphology (compactness and color) also was compa red using non - parametric test ( Mann – Whitney U test). The results showed that the best basal medium for callus induction and growth was in B5, and the highest callus growth in B5 medium obtained when NAA was supplied as auxin. Two mg/L NAA was