Optimization of culture medium for in vitro callogenesis in Taxus baccata L. and T. berevifolia Nutt

Taxol is an effective anticancer drug which is used widely for the treatment of a variety of cancers .Tissue culture of taxol represents a potential altrnative source of taxol and related taxane. Callogensis in plant regeneration, one method of producing metabolites a secondary in vitro. This study was performed to investigate the basic culture medium and hormonal concentrations for callogenesis of two yew species (Taxus baccata and Taxus berevifolia). The research was conducted as factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. For callus optimization, growth conditions and stem explants were studied in three medium types (WPM, MS and B5) and under the effect of 2,4-D growth regulator at concentrations of 1, 2 and 4 mg l-1 in combination with kinetin at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg l-1. The results showed that the highest percentage of stem callogenesis (57.3%) was observed in WPM medium enriched with 2 mg l-1 2,4-D and 2.0 mg l-1 kinetin. The lowest percentage of callogenesis (22.3%) occurred on MS medium and B5 medium had average callogenesis. Application of lower concentrations of growth regulators than higher concentrations had also more effect on callogenesis variable in stem explants in two studied Taxus species..