Stimulation of shoot regeneration from cotyledons of Helianthus annuus by the ethylene inhibitors, silver and cobalt.

The effects of CoCl2, AgNO3 and ethylene released by exogenous 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephon), were studied on shoot regeneration from cotyledons of Helianthus annuus cv. E8206R, a poorly regenerative cultivar. Inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis by CoCl2, at concentrations of 20 μK, provoked a substantial enhancement of shoot regeneration (30 %): the control was poorly regenerative. However, CoCl2 had no effect when Ethephon was supplied. Inhibition of ethylene action by AgNO3, at concentrations of 10-25 μM, caused a significant increase in plant regeneration: 25 % instead of 1.2 % in the control. Furthermore, addition of Ethephon to AgNO3-treated tissues failed to reduce the stimulation of shoot regeneration caused by AgNO3. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that ethylene inhibits the regeneration process from cotyledons of sunflower.