Analysis of elicitor-induced cell viability changes in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. suspension culture by different methods

Viability changes and hydrogen peroxide production in cultured Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Rio Grande (tomato) cells exposed to induced stress conditions have been investigated. Our data suggest that in order to obtain reliable and insightful data when the hypersensitive response is being evaluated as an early elicitor-induced viability change in suspension cultures, it is strongly advisable to use the assay based on the reduction of tetrazolium salts, since it provides an adequate indicator of changes in metabolic activity that could otherwise be overlooked.