Effect of Increased Copper Concentrations on Deformations of the Regenerates of Carrot Obtained from Androgenetic Embryos

The experiment aimed at determining the effect of high copper concentrations on the process of regeneration of carrot plants cv. Feria F1 from androgenetic embryos. The starting material consisted of green embryos obtained in anther cultures on a medium for the induction of androgenesis. Five B5 regeneration media of Gamborg et al. (1968) containing 0.1 (control), 1, 10, 100, and 1000 μM·L^-1 CuSO₄·5H₂O were used. The plant material was passaged onto fresh media 3 times after 4, 9, and 15 weeks from culture set-up date. During the passages, the regenerated structures were examined and categorized according to their growth, development and the course of regeneration in the in vitro culture.

The B5 regeneration medium that contained 1000 μM·L^-1 CuSO₄ was highly toxic for the growth and development of androgenetic embryos of carrot. The other concentrations of CuSO₄ that were higher than the level of the control medium, i.e. 1, 10, and 100 μM·L^-1, had a negative effect on the regeneration from androgenetic embryos of carrot in the second and third passages (after 9 and 15 weeks). They caused deformations of the leaves and the formation of an abnormal callus heel between the above-ground part and the root.