ENHANCED HYOSCYAMINE PRODUCTION IN DATURA STRAMONIUM L. CALLUS CULTURES ELICITED BY EXTRACTS FROM VIRUS-INFECTED PLANTS

This study investigated the effects of two plant viruses as biotic elicitors on hyoscyamine production in Datura stramonium L. callus cultures. Their effects were compared with those of acetylsalicylic acid, Norit buffer, and mechanical callus injury. The results demonstrated varying effects of the elicitors and differences in hyoscyamine production over time, with some acting more as inhibitors than elicitors. Eighteen days after the start of elicitation, the highest hyoscyamine production was observed in calli treated with tomato mosaic virus, reaching 4.06 ± 0.50 mg per gram dry weight of callus. Elicitation with cucumber mosaic virus increased hyoscyamine levels to 2.55 ± 0.68 mg/g of dry weight, while the application of 0.1 mM ASA resulted in 2.35 ± 0.18 mg/g of dry weight. In untreated control callus, hyoscyamine production was 1.02 ± 0.01 mg/g of dry weight. Mechanical damage to callus tissue led to hyoscyamine production of 2.76 ± 0.7 mg/g of dry weight after 23 days of elicitation, compared to 1.71 ± 0.17 mg/g of dry weight in untreated callus. In contrast, treatment with Norit buffer and 0.5 mM ASA reduced hyoscyamine production. The use of extracts from virus-infected plants as elicitors in in vitro plant cultures has not been reported to date. Both viruses in extracts demonstrated a positive effect on hyoscyamine production, particularly tomato mosaic virus. These findings clearly indicate that plant viruses are effective elicitors of secondary metabolite production in in vitro cultures.