Influence of growth regulators and an elicitor on phenylpropanoid metabolism in suspension cultures of Vanilla planifolia.

A cell suspension culture of Vanilla planifolia has been established in MS-medium. 2,4-D suppressed while NAA enhanced the formation of extractable phenolics. Cytokinins appeared to favour lignin biosynthesis. Treatment of the culture with chitosan resulted in the induction of various enzymes of phenylpropanoid metabolism, while the amount of extractable phenolics decreased due to their rapid incorporation into polymeric ligneous material.